Luminaire with ambient sensing and autonomous control capabilities

ABSTRACT

A number of luminaires can be communicably coupled and networked. Some or all of the luminaires may be equipped with a number of sensors including motion sensors. Upon detecting motion of an object in the vicinity of a luminaire, the luminaire can increase the luminous output of the lighting subsystem in the luminaire and communicate a targeted or broadcast output signal to some or all of the remaining luminaires in the network. The output signal may variously contain data indicative of one or more parameters related to motion of the object (direction of travel, velocity, etc.) or one or more parameters related to the increased luminous output of the luminaire. Responsive to the receipt of an output signal generated by another luminaire, the luminaire may autonomously adjust the luminous output of the lighting subsystems responsive to an event detected by the other luminaire.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present disclosure generally relates to the field of illuminationdevices and, more particularly, to the autonomous operation ofillumination devices and systems.

2. Description of the Related Art

Luminaires enjoy widespread use in a variety of industrial, commercial,and municipal applications. Such applications can include general orarea lighting of workspaces, roadways, parking lots, and the like.Multiple luminaires are typically arranged in patterns and positioned atintervals sufficient to provide a minimum overall level of illuminationacross the area of interest. For example, luminaires may be spaced atintervals along a driveway in a multilevel parking garage to provide anoverall level of illumination that permits safe ingress and egress bypedestrians as well as permits safe operation of motor vehicles withinthe parking garage. In a similar manner, luminaires may be spaced atintervals throughout a commercial center parking lot to promote safeoperation of motor vehicles, permit safe ingress and egress bycustomers, and foster a sense of safety and well-being for businesspatrons within the commercial center. Similarly, a number of luminairesmay be spaced along a roadway to provide a level of illuminationpermitting safe operation of motor vehicles on the roadway and, whereapplicable, safe passage of pedestrians on sidewalks adjoining theroadway.

To simplify power distribution and control wiring, such luminaires areoften organized into groups or similar hierarchical power and controlstructures. For example, multiple luminaires along a roadway may begrouped together on a common power circuit that is controlled using asingle, centralized, controller to collectively adjust the luminousoutput of all of the luminaires in the group. In another instance,multiple luminaires within a parking garage may be controlled using asingle photocell mounted on the exterior of the parking garage. Suchinstallations may however compromise operational flexibility for ease ofinstallation and simplicity of operation.

In the face of an increased demand by legislators, power providers, andsystem users for energy efficiency and in light of an increased demandfor safer, well illuminated, public and private spaces requirements, newstrategies for the control of luminaires are needed.

BRIEF SUMMARY

Lighting systems including a number of illumination devices such asluminaires enjoy pervasive and widespread use in industrial, commercialand municipal environments. Such systems are relied upon to provide agenerally constant level of illumination sufficient to meet the needs ofthe normal activity performed or the conditions commonly encountered ina given area. Thus, lighting systems in industrial environments may bedesigned to provide a relatively high level of illumination at gradesufficient for workers to safely perform their duties. Lighting systemsin commercial environments, such as interior and exterior parking lots,may be designed to provide a relatively moderate level of illuminationat grade that is sufficient to provide a sense of security andwell-being to business patrons and employees as they transit the areaeither in vehicles or on foot. Lighting systems in municipalenvironments, such as along roadways and sidewalks, may be designed toprovide a relatively moderate level of illumination at grade that issufficient to provide a sense of security to pedestrians as well assufficient to alert drivers to the presence of roadside hazards inconjunction with the on-board vehicle lighting systems.

Traditionally, each of the luminaires in a lighting network was eitherindividually controlled (e.g., through the use of a photocell) or groupsof luminaires were commonly controlled (e.g., power was interrupted toall luminaires in a parking lot at 6:30 A.M.). Such control isinefficient and falls short of current trends in cost minimization andenvironmental consciousness. The ongoing increase in growth andreduction in cost of wired and wireless communication technologyprovides a cost effective and energy efficient way of networkingluminaires in a lighting system to enable the coordination andcooperative operation of all or a portion of the luminaires forming thelighting system.

In particular, wiredly or wirelessly networking at least a portion ofthe luminaires in a lighting system provides the ability to adjust,adapt, or control the luminous output of individual luminaires or groupsof luminaires autonomously and in real time responsive to externalevents occurring in the vicinity of one or more luminaires. Suchexternal events may, for example, be sensed using one or more sensorscommunicably coupled to some or all of the luminaires. The occurrence ofsuch external events can be sensed by a first luminaire and communicatedto any number of other luminaires within the network.

Such operational capabilities and efficiency may be enhanced where eachof the luminaires in the lighting system is individually addressable. Anetwork of addressable luminaires, each assigned to a specific physicalor geographic location permits the system to respond to an externalevent by adjusting the luminous output of particular luminaires. Suchallows, for example, an increase in the luminous output of a firstluminaire proximate an elevator or stairway when a second luminaireproximate a parking garage entrance ramp senses the movement of avehicle on the entrance ramp.

Where a number (or even all) of the luminaires are equipped withsensors, the resultant sensor network is not only able to detect anevent (e.g., movement of an object), but also to predict future eventsand respond by increasing or decreasing illumination levels according toone or more sensed or determined characteristics or parameters of thesensed event (e.g., direction of travel or velocity of the object). Inthis way, the networked luminaires forming the lighting system are ableto act as a cellular automaton where the control of the luminous outputof each luminaire (i.e., each “cell” in the cellular automaton) isautonomously adjusted, affected, or controlled based on both rules inthe form of logic executed by a controller in the luminaire as well asthe state of one or more other luminaires (i.e., the “neighborhood ofthe cell” in the cellular automaton). In some instances, a commonclocking or timing signal may not be present in the luminaire network,in which case, the network may function as an asynchronous cellularautomaton.

An illumination system may be summarized as including a luminaireincluding at least one light source; a controller with defined logic toautonomously operate the at least one light source responsive to asignal indicative of motion; and a communications transceivercommunicably coupled to the controller to communicate with at least oneother luminaire.

The illumination system may further include at least one sensorcommunicably coupled to the controller, to detect the occurrence of atleast one event external to the luminaire.

The at least one sensor may include at least a motion sensor and thesignal indicative of motion may include a signal indicative of motionprovided by the motion sensor. The at least one sensor may furtherinclude a photosensitive transducer to further provide a signalindicative of an ambient light condition external to the luminaire. Thedefined logic may further autonomously operate the light sourceresponsive to the signal indicative of the ambient light conditionexternal to the luminaire. The signal indicative of motion may include asignal indicative of motion provided by the at least one other luminairevia the communications transceiver. The controller may further includeat least one time-keeping circuit. The controller may identify one of aplurality of luminaires as closest in physical proximity to theluminaire. The controller may autonomously retransmit the signalindicative of motion to the one identified closest luminaire. Theluminaire may include one of a plurality of luminaires, the controllerin each of the plurality of luminaires having an identifier known to atleast one other of the plurality of luminaires. The controller mayfurther selectively autonomously communicate at least one signal via thecommunications transceiver to at least one selected recipient luminaire,the at least one signal addressed to the at least one selected recipientluminaire using the respective identifier of the at least one selectedrecipient luminaire identifier. The at least one recipient luminaire mayinclude at least one luminaire identified by the controller as closestin physical proximity to the luminaire. The at least one light sourcemay include at least one solid-state light source.

An illumination system may be summarized as including a luminaireincluding at least one light source disposed at least partially in ahousing; a controller with defined logic to selectively autonomouslyoperate the at least one light source responsive to a signal indicativeof motion remote from the luminaire, the signal indicative of motionprovided by at least one other luminaire; a communications transceivercommunicably coupled to the controller to communicate with the at leastone other luminaire; and at least one sensor communicably coupled to thecontroller and physically coupled to the housing, to detect theoccurrence of at least one event external to the luminaire and toselectively autonomously operate the at least one light sourceresponsive to the detection of the at least one event external to theluminaire.

The at least one sensor may include at least one motion sensor toprovide a signal indicative of motion proximate the luminaire. The atleast one sensor may further include at least one photosensitivetransducer to provide a signal indicative of an ambient illuminationcondition external to the luminaire. The controller may selectivelyautonomously operate the at least one light source responsive at leastin part to the signal indicative of the ambient illumination conditionexternal to the luminaire. The controller may further selectivelyautonomously operate the at least one light source responsive to thesignal indicative of the ambient illumination condition external to theluminaire in the absence of a signal indicative of motion, and mayselectively autonomously operate the at least one light sourceresponsive to the signal indicative of motion when the signal indicativeof motion is present. The controller may further include a communicablycoupled time-keeping circuit and the controller may further selectivelyautonomously operate the at least one light source in coordination witha determined time of occurrence of an expected solar event including atleast one of: an expected sunset event or an expected sunrise event. Thedefined logic may further autonomously operate the at least one lightsource in coordination with the determined time of occurrence of anexpected solar event in the absence of a signal indicative of motion,and may autonomously operate the at least one light source incoordination with the signal indicative of motion when the signalindicative of motion is present. The signal indicative of motion mayinclude a signal indicative of motion provided by the at least one otherluminaire via the communications transceiver. The at least one otherluminaire may include at least one of a plurality of luminairesdetermined by the controller as being closest in physical proximity tothe luminaire. The defined logic may cause the controller to furtherautonomously retransmit the signal indicative of motion to the at leastone other luminaire. The luminaire may include one of a plurality ofluminaires, the controller in each of the plurality of luminaires havingan identifier known to at least one other of the plurality ofluminaires. The defined logic may cause the controller to furtherselectively autonomously communicate the at least one signal via thecommunications transceiver to at least one selected recipient luminaire,the at least one signal addressed to the at least one selected recipientluminaire using the respective identifier of the at least one selectedrecipient luminaire. The at least one other luminaire may include atleast one of a plurality of luminaires determined by the controller asbeing closest in physical proximity to the luminaire. The at least onelight source may include at least one solid-state light source.

A method of controlling a plurality of luminaires may be summarized asincluding receiving from another of the plurality of luminaires at acontroller via a communicably coupled communications transceiver atleast one signal including information indicative of at least onemotion-related parameter of an object remote from and external to aluminaire at least partially housing the controller and thecommunications transceiver; autonomously adjusting by the controller aluminous output of at least one light source in response to the receiptof the information indicative of the at least one motion-relatedparameter of the object; and autonomously communicating via thecommunications transceiver communicably coupled to the controller atleast one signal including information indicative of at least one of:the at least one motion-related parameter of the object or the luminousoutput of the luminaire.

Receiving information indicative of the at least one motion-relatedparameter of the object may include receiving a signal includinginformation indicative of at least one of: a velocity of the object or adirection of motion of the object. Receiving a signal includinginformation indicative of at least one of: a velocity of the object or adirection of motion of the object may include receiving a signal from atleast one other of the plurality of luminaires via the communicationstransceiver communicably coupled to the controller. Receiving a signalincluding information indicative of at least one of: a velocity of theobject or a direction of motion of the object may include receiving asignal including information indicative of at least one of: a velocityof the object or a direction of motion of the object as determined by asingle motion sensor. Receiving the signal indicative of at least one ofthe velocity of the object or the motion of the object may includereceiving information provided by at least two of the plurality ofluminaires based at least in part on a physical distance between the atleast two luminaires and a time required by the object to transit thephysical distance between the at least two luminaires. Receiving asignal including information indicative of at least one of: a velocityof the object or a direction of motion of the object may includereceiving a signal from at least one motion sensor communicably coupledto the controller and disposed at least partially within the luminaire.Receiving the signal indicative of at least one of the velocity of theobject or the motion of the object may include receiving informationindicative a change in distance between the at least one motion sensorand the object over a defined time interval.

The method of controlling a plurality of luminaires may further includeselectively autonomously adjusting by the controller in each of a numberof selected luminaires the luminous output of each of the respectivenumber of the selected luminaires based at least in part on at least oneof the velocity of the object or the direction of motion of the object.

The method of controlling a plurality of luminaires may further includeselectively autonomously adjusting by the controller in each of thenumber of selected luminaires a rate of change in the luminous output ofeach of the respective number of the selected luminaires based at leastin part on at least one of the velocity of the object or the directionof motion of the object.

Selectively autonomously adjusting a rate of change in the luminousoutput of each of the number of the selected luminaires may includeadjusting the rate of change in the luminous output of the number of theselected luminaires based on the velocity and the direction of motion ofthe object. Responsive to receipt of a signal indicating a motiontowards the number of selected luminaires, the rate of change in theluminous output of the number of selected luminaires may be adjusted byautonomously increasing the rate at which the luminous output isincreased in proportion to the velocity of the object. Responsive toreceipt of a signal indicating a motion away from the number of selectedluminaires, the rate of change in the luminous output of the number ofselected luminaires may be adjusted by autonomously increasing the rateat which the luminous output is decreased in inverse proportion to thevelocity of the object. Autonomously communicating at least one signalincluding information indicative of at least one of: the at least onemotion-related parameter of the object or the luminous output of theluminaire may include selectively transmitting at least one signaladdressed to at least one selected recipient luminaire. Selectivelytransmitting at least one signal addressed to at least one selectedrecipient luminaire may include selectively transmitting at least onesignal to a selected recipient luminaire having the closest physicalproximity to the luminaire. Selectively transmitting at least one signaladdressed to at least one selected recipient luminaire may includeselectively transmitting at least one signal to a selected, defined,cell containing a number of recipient luminaires selected from theplurality of luminaires based on at least one of: an identifier assignedto each of the respective selected luminaires or a physical location ofeach of the respective selected luminaires. Adjusting a luminous outputof at least one light source in response to the receipt of the signalincluding information indicative of the at least one motion-relatedparameter of the object may include: autonomously increasing theluminous output of the at least one light source upon the receipt of theat least one signal, and autonomously decreasing the luminous output ofthe at least one light source a defined amount of time after a loss ofthe at least one signal.

The method of controlling a plurality of luminaires may further includeapportioning the plurality of luminaires into a number of cells based onat least one of: an identifier assigned to each of the plurality ofluminaires or a physical location of each of the plurality ofluminaires, each of the number of cells including at least oneluminaire; communicating to each of the luminaires in at least one cellthe signal including information indicative of at least onemotion-related parameter of an object external to the luminaire; andresponsive to the receipt of the signal, adjusting the luminous outputof each of the luminaires in the cell.

The method of controlling a plurality of luminaires may further includereceiving by the controller at least one signal including informationindicative a sensed ambient illumination level external to the at leastone luminaire; and adjusting by the controller a luminous output of theat least one light source in response to the receipt of the informationindicative of the sensed ambient illumination level.

Receiving by the controller at least one signal including informationindicative a sensed ambient illumination level external to the at leastone luminaire may include receiving a signal from at least one other ofthe plurality of luminaires via the communications transceiver.Receiving by the controller at least one signal including informationindicative a sensed ambient illumination level external to the at leastone luminaire may include receiving a signal from a photosensitivetransducer communicably coupled to the controller and disposed at leastpartially in the luminaire. Adjusting a luminous output of the at leastone light source may include adjusting the luminous output of the atleast one light source to maintain the ambient illumination level assensed by the photosensitive transducer in a defined range. The definedrange may include the level of illumination provided by at least oneother of the plurality of luminaires as measured by photosensitivetransducer on the at least one other luminaire and communicated to thecontroller by the at least one other luminaire.

The method of controlling a plurality of luminaires may further includetransmitting a signal including data indicative of the luminous outputof the luminaire to at least one other of the plurality of luminaires.

A method of controlling a plurality of luminaires may be summarized asincluding communicably coupling each of a plurality of luminaires to atleast one other of the plurality of luminaires to provide at least onecommunication path between any two luminaires of all of the plurality ofluminaires, where there are at least three luminaires in the pluralityof luminaires; receiving at a controller via a communicably coupledcommunications transceiver at least one signal including informationindicative of at least one motion-related parameter of an objectexternal to a luminaire that houses the controller and thecommunications transceiver; autonomously adjusting by the controller aluminous output of at least one light source in the luminaire inresponse to the receipt of the information indicative of the at leastone motion-related parameter of the object; and autonomouslycommunicating by the controller via the communications transceiver theat least one signal to at least one other recipient luminaire in theplurality of luminaires, the at least one signal including informationindicative of at least one of: the at least one motion-related parameterof the object or the luminous output of the luminaire.

Receiving at least one signal including information indicative of atleast one motion-related parameter of an object external to a luminairemay include receiving the at least one signal from at least one otherluminaire in the plurality of luminaires. Receiving at least one signalincluding information indicative of at least one motion-relatedparameter of an object external to a luminaire may include receiving theat least one signal from at least one sensor communicably coupled to thecontroller where the at least one sensor may not be part of one of theother luminaires. Autonomously communicating the at least one signal toat least one other recipient luminaire in the plurality of luminairesmay include selectively autonomously communicating the at least onesignal along with data indicative of the identity of the luminaire tothe selected recipient luminaire. Autonomously communicating the atleast one signal to at least one other recipient luminaire in theplurality of luminaires may further include selectively autonomouslycommunicating the at least one signal along with data indicative of theidentity of the luminaire addressed to one or more selected recipientluminaires. Autonomously communicating the at least one signal to atleast one other recipient luminaire in the plurality of luminaires mayfurther include selectively autonomously communicating the at least onesignal along with data indicative of the identity of the luminaire to adefined cell containing a number of recipient luminaires selected fromthe plurality of luminaires based on at least one of: an identifierassigned to each of the respective recipient luminaires or a physicallocation of each of the respective recipient luminaires. Autonomouslycommunicating the at least one signal to at least one other recipientluminaire in the plurality of luminaires may include selectivelyautonomously communicating the at least one signal including dataindicative of the identity of the luminaire to one or more selectedrecipient luminaires.

The method of controlling a plurality of luminaires may further includedetermining by the recipient luminaire a velocity of the object based ona spatial distance between the luminaire and the recipient luminaire andan elapsed time between receipt of the at least one signal and detectionof the object by the recipient luminaire.

Each of the luminaires in the plurality of luminaires may include atleast one time-keeping circuit to temporally synchronize each of theplurality of luminaires. Autonomously communicating the at least onesignal to at least one other recipient luminaire in the plurality ofluminaires may include selectively autonomously communicating the atleast one signal including data indicative of the velocity of theobject, data indicative of the identity of the luminaire and dataindicative of the time of detection by the luminaire to one or moreselected recipient luminaires.

The method of controlling a plurality of luminaires may further includedetermining by the recipient luminaire an expected time of arrival ofthe object based on a spatial distance between the luminaire and therecipient luminaire and the velocity of the object.

A method of controlling a plurality of luminaires may be summarized asincluding apportioning the plurality of luminaires into a number ofcells based on at least one of: an identifier assigned to each of therespective luminaires in the plurality of luminaires or a physicallocation of each of the respective selected luminaires in the pluralityof luminaires, each of the number of cells including at least oneluminaire; directly or indirectly communicably coupling each of theluminaires within a cell with all other luminaires in the cell; directlycommunicably coupling at least one bridge luminaire in each cell with atleast one other bridge luminaire in a different cell, wherein any one ofthe plurality of luminaires in a first cell is communicably coupled withany other of the plurality of luminaires in a second cell via the directcommunicable coupling between a bridge luminaire in the first cell and abridge luminaire in the second cell; receiving at a luminaire in a firstcell at least one signal including information indicative of at leastone motion-related parameter of an object external to the luminaire;autonomously adjusting a luminous output of the luminaire in response tothe receipt of the information indicative of the at least onemotion-related parameter of the object; and autonomously communicatingat least one signal to at least one other recipient luminaire in theplurality of luminaires, the at least one signal including informationindicative of at least one of: the at least one motion-related parameterof the object or the luminous output of the luminaire.

The method of controlling a plurality of luminaires may further includeadjusting the luminous output of all luminaires in the recipientluminaire cell responsive to receipt of the at least one signal.

The method of controlling a plurality of luminaires may further includeretransmitting the at least one signal by the recipient luminaire to asecond recipient luminaire in a different cell than the recipientluminaire via the communicable coupling between the respective bridgeluminaires in the recipient luminaire cell and the second recipientluminaire cell.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings, identical reference numbers identify similar elementsor acts. The sizes and relative positions of elements in the drawingsare not necessarily drawn to scale. For example, the shapes of variouselements and angles are not drawn to scale, and some of these elementsare arbitrarily enlarged and positioned to improve drawing legibility.Further, the particular shapes of the elements as drawn, are notintended to convey any information regarding the actual shape of theparticular elements, and have been solely selected for ease ofrecognition in the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a luminaire including a power subsystem, acontrol subsystem including a communications interface and a number ofsensors, and a lighting subsystem including a number of light sources,according to one non-limiting illustrated embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of luminaire with a power subsystem and acontrol subsystem including at least one microcontroller, a number ofsensors to sense one or more external events in the vicinity of theluminaire and a wired or wireless communications interface, according toone non-limiting illustrated embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of an illustrative parking lot lighting systemcomprising a plurality of networked luminaires grouped into a pluralityof cells based on an address or a location of the luminaire, accordingto one non-limiting illustrated embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an elevation view of an illustrative parking garage lightingsystem comprising a plurality of networked luminaires each including atleast an ambient light sensor and a motion sensor, according to onenon-limiting illustrated embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of an illustrative roadway and sidewalkilluminated using a plurality of luminaires, each including at least oneexternal event sensor, according to one non-limiting illustratedembodiment.

FIG. 6 is a high level flow diagram of illustrative machine executablecode, rules, or logic useful in the autonomous operation of one or morecommunicably coupled, networked, luminaires, according to onenon-limiting illustrated embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following description, certain specific details are set forth inorder to provide a thorough understanding of various disclosedembodiments. However, one skilled in the relevant art will recognizethat embodiments may be practiced without one or more of these specificdetails, or with other methods, components, materials, etc. In otherinstances, well-known or well-documented wired and wireless networkingprotocols such as ZigBee®, Ethernet, power line carrier (PLC),Bluetooth®, IEEE 802.11; well-known or well documented electroniccomponents such as power converters, solid-state lighting systems, andthe like; and logical devices such as controllers, motion sensors,photosensitive transducers and the like have either not been shown orshown abstractly and have not described in detail to avoid unnecessarilyobscuring descriptions of the embodiments.

Unless the context requires otherwise, throughout the specification andclaims which follow, the word “comprise” and variations thereof, such as“comprises” and “comprising,” are to be construed in an open, inclusivesense that is as “including, but not limited to.”

As used in this specification and the appended claims, the singularforms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the contentclearly dictates otherwise. It should also be noted that the term “or”is generally employed in its sense including “and/or” unless the contentclearly dictates otherwise.

Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment” or “anembodiment” means that a particular feature, structure or characteristicdescribed in connection with the embodiment is included in at least oneembodiment. Thus, the appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment” or“in an embodiment” in various places throughout this specification arenot necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, theparticular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined inany suitable manner in one or more embodiments. Additionally, the terms“lighting,” “luminous output” and “illumination” are used hereininterchangeably. For instance, the phrases “level of illumination” or“level of light output” have the same meanings. Also, for instance, thephrases “illumination source” and “light source” have the same meanings.

The headings and Abstract of the Disclosure provided herein are forconvenience only and do not interpret the scope or meaning of theembodiments.

FIG. 1 shows an illustrative luminaire 100 including a power subsystem102 communicably coupled to a control subsystem 104 and electricallycoupled to one or more lighting subsystems 106 a-106 b (collectively“lighting subsystems 106”) each having any equal or unequal number oflight sources 120 a-120 n (collectively “light sources 120”). Thecontrol subsystem 104 may be communicably and electrically coupled tothe power subsystem 102 via one or more interfaces 108 a-108 b(collectively “interfaces 108”). The lighting subsystems 106 may becommunicably and electrically coupled to the power subsystem 102 via oneor more interfaces 110 a-110 b (collectively “interfaces 110”). Theluminaire 100 can include one or more brackets 124 that permit thesupport or suspension of the luminaire from a pole, wall, building orsimilar rigid structure. A transparent, translucent, or opaque shade,diffuser, reflector, or cover 122 may be attached to, and optionallyform a portion of, the lighting subsystems 106.

Although depicted as physically coupled for simplicity and ease ofdiscussion, any or all of the power subsystem 102, the control subsystem104, or the lighting subsystems 106 may be disposed in any configurationincluding remote from each other. For example, in one instance, thecontrol subsystem 104 may be disposed in an exterior location that isremote from the power subsystem 102 and the lighting subsystem 106 whichare disposed in an interior location. In another example, the lightingsubsystems 106 may be disposed in an electrically classified area (e.g.,a potentially flammable or explosive environment that requires the useof an explosion-proof enclosure) while the power subsystem 102 and thecontrol subsystem 104 may be disposed in an electrically unclassifiedarea (e.g., a non-flammable or explosive environment that does notrequire the use of an explosion-proof enclosure). In such instances, thepower subsystem 102, the control subsystem 104, and the lightingsubsystems 106 can be wiredly or wirelessly communicably or electricallycoupled.

The luminaire 100 may additionally include wiring (not shown in FIG. 1)to supply power to the power subsystem 102 from an external electricalpower source such as an electrical power grid or network. In someinstances, the light sources 120 may be formed into a replaceablecomponent, for example a plurality of individual solid state lightsources or solid state light source strings formed into a bulb orsimilar unitary structure in each of the lighting subsystems 106. Thelighting subsystems 106 may, in turn, be physically attached andelectrically coupled to the power subsystem 102 using a threaded (e.g.,an E26 or E40 screw in connector), plug, or bayonet-type interface 110.Alternatively, the light sources 120 may be integral with the powersubsystem 102, particularly where the lighting subsystems 106 comprise anumber of solid-state light emitters and associated driver circuithardware which have a relatively long operational life.

The control subsystem 104 includes a number of sensors 112 a-112 b(collectively “sensors 112”), one or more communications interfaces 114and one or more electrical devices or systems capable of altering,adjusting or otherwise controlling the power flow to or luminosity,luminous output, or illumination state of the lighting subsystems 106.In at least some instances, the control subsystem 104 can include one ormore electrical devices or systems to communicably couple the luminaire100 to one or more external devices including an external controller orone or more other luminaires 100. The control subsystem 104 may includedefined machine executable code, rules, or logic used to alter, adjustor control the operation or luminous output of at least a portion of thelighting subsystems 106. Such machine executable code, rules, or logicmay provide for the control of the lighting subsystems 106 in responseto the receipt of one or more signals provided by the sensors 112, inresponse to the receipt of one or more signals provided by anotherluminaire 100, in response to the receipt of one or more signalsprovided by an external electronic device, or any combination thereof.In at least some instances, the machine executable code, rules, or logicpermit the luminaire 100 to autonomously control the luminous output ofsome or all of the lighting subsystems 106 responsive to: a conditionsensed by at least one of the sensors 112, a condition sensed by anotherluminaire and communicated to the luminaire 100, or both. In at leastsome instances, the machine executable code, rules, or logic permit theluminaire 100 to autonomously generate and communicate to otherrecipient luminaires 100 one or more signals containing data indicativeof at least one of a local external event in the vicinity of and sensedby at least one of the sensors 112 or a remote external eventcommunicated to the luminaire 100 by another, communicably coupled,luminaire.

The control subsystem 104 can alter, adjust or control one or morefunctions of the lighting subsystems 106. Such functions may include,but are not limited to altering, adjusting or controlling the luminousoutput of the lighting subsystems 106 in response to at least one of: alocal external event sensed by at least one of the sensors 112, a remoteexternal event that was sensed by another luminaire and communicated tothe luminaire 100, or both. For example, the luminous output of at leasta portion of the lighting subsystems 106 may be increased by the controlsubsystem 104 in response to a sensed decrease in distance between theluminaire 100 and an external object moving towards the luminaire 100.In another example, the luminous output of at least a portion of thelighting subsystems 106 may be decreased by the control subsystem 104 inresponse to a sensed increase in distance between the luminaire 100 andan external object moving away from the luminaire 100. In anotherexample, the luminous output of at least a portion of the lightingsubsystems 106 may be increased by the control subsystem 104 in responseto receipt of a signal from another luminaire indicating motion of anexternal object in a direction towards the luminaire 100.Advantageously, receipt of such a signal permits the autonomous increasein luminous output of the lighting subsystems 106 before the externalobject is sensed by the sensors 112 on the luminaire 100. The machineexecutable code, rules, or logic used by the control subsystem 104 thusfacilitates the operation of the luminaire 100 in anticipation of theoccurrence of one or more future events.

The power subsystem 102 can be disposed at least partially in a housing126. The housing 126 can include any structure suitable for internallyand/or externally accommodating all or a portion of the power subsystem102. At times, the housing may be a metallic weatherproof enclosure(e.g., a National Electrical Manufacturers Association “NEMA” type 3,3R, or 4 enclosure) or a corrosion resistant weatherproof enclosure(e.g., a NEMA 4X enclosure). At least a portion of the housing 126 maybe substantially transparent to radio frequency (RF) or opticalelectromagnetic radiation to permit the wireless communicable couplingof the power subsystem 102 with the control subsystem 104. In at leastsome instances, the interfaces 110 include any current or futuredeveloped physical fastener or electrical conductor (e.g., one or morethreaded sockets, blade or pin-type bayonets or the like) that can bedisposed at least partially on an exterior surface of the housing 126.

The control subsystem 104 can be disposed at least partially in ahousing 128. The housing 128 can include any structure suitable forinternally and/or externally accommodating all or a portion of thecontrol subsystem 104. At times, the housing may be a metallicweatherproof enclosure (e.g., a National Electrical ManufacturersAssociation “NEMA” type 3, 3R, or 4 enclosure) or a corrosion resistantweatherproof enclosure (e.g., a NEMA 4X enclosure). At least a portionof the housing 128 may be substantially transparent to radio frequency(RF) or optical electromagnetic radiation to permit the wirelesscommunicable coupling of the control subsystem 104 to the powersubsystem 102 and to one or more wireless networks or external wirelesselectronic devices. In at least some instances, the interfaces 108coupling the control subsystem 104 to the power subsystem 102 mayinclude any current or future developed physical fastener or electricalconductor (e.g., one or more pads, prongs, spades, protrusions, orsimilar electrically conductive structures) that can be disposed atleast partially on an exterior surface of the housing 128. Such surfacemount interfaces 108 are particularly advantageous where the controlsubsystem 104 is fitted to the power subsystem 102 during manufacture orwhere the control subsystem 104 is retrofitted to an existing powersubsystem 102 after installation. In other instances, the interfaces 108can include a number of cables, each having a number of conductorslinking the power subsystem 102 and the control subsystem 104. Suchremote mount devices are particularly useful where the control subsystem104 is mounted at a distance from the power subsystem 102. In someinstances, the interfaces 108 can include a combination of one or morephysical fasteners to physically attach the housing 128 to the housing126 and one or more electrical connectors to communicably couple thecontrol subsystem 104 to the power subsystem 102.

The number of sensors 112 coupled to the control subsystem 104 caninclude any number or combination of sensors capable of sensing orotherwise detecting the occurrence of one or more external events in thevicinity of the luminaire 100. Such events can include, but are notlimited to, events involving one or more objects external to theluminaire 100, events involving the ambient environment about theluminaire 100, or combinations thereof. For example, events involvingone or more objects external to the luminaire 100 may include, but arenot limited to, the movement of an object in the vicinity of theluminaire, the proximity of an object in the vicinity of the luminaire,or the presence of a combustive or detonative event in the vicinity ofthe luminaire. In another example, events involving the ambientenvironment about the luminaire 100 may include, but are not limited to,the ambient illumination about the luminaire, the presence ofelectromagnetic activity about the luminaire, the presence or absence ofone or more defined substances about the luminaire, the presence of highheat levels about the luminaire, the presence of one or more definedbiological materials in the environment about the luminaire, thepresence of a flammable or explosive environment about the luminaire,the presence of lightning, sudden atmospheric pressure drops or otherindicators of severe weather, or the like. The sensors 112 can providean analog or digital signal output that includes data representative orotherwise indicative of the sensed or detected condition. In someinstances, a single sensor 112 may provide an analog or digital signaloutput that includes data indicative of two or more sensed or detectedevents or conditions. For example, in some instances, a single sensor112 may provide an output signal that includes data indicative ofdistance between the luminaire 100 and an object or motion of an objectin the vicinity of the luminaire 100 as well as data indicative of theambient light level about the luminaire 100.

In at least some instances, the sensors 112 can include a sensor capableof providing a signal output including information indicative of thedistance between the sensor and an object in the vicinity of theluminaire 100. Such a signal, when received over a defined time intervalallows the control subsystem 104 to determine the direction of travel ofthe object (e.g. towards or away from the luminaire 100) or the velocityof the object. In other instances, the sensors 112 can include a sensorcapable of providing a signal output including information indicative ofthe motion of an object in the vicinity of the luminaire 100. Suchdistance or motion sensors 112 can take the form of a passive infrared(“PIR”) sensor, an optical sensor, an acoustic sensor, a radio frequency(“RF”) sensor, or any future developed sensor technology. In at leastsome instances, the sensors 112 can include one or more sensors capableof providing a signal output including information indicative of theambient illumination about the luminaire 100. Such a signal permits the

The communications interface 114 coupled to the control subsystem 104can include any number or wired or wireless interfaces capable oftransmitting and receiving one or more analog or digital signals. Thecommunications interface 114 can transmit and receive signals using anycurrent or future defined industry standard or open communicationsprotocols such as IEEE 802.11 (“WiFi”), ZigBee®, Bluetooth®, Near FieldCommunications (“NFC”), Code Division Multiple Access cellular (“CDMA”),Global System for Mobile Communications cellular (“GSM”), or the like.The communications interface 114 can transmit and receive signals usingany current or future defined proprietary or closed communicationsprotocols. The signals transmitted and received via the communicationsinterface 114 can include data indicative of one or more sensed eventssuch as events sensed by the sensors 112, data indicative of one or moreexpected events such as the expected occurrence of a sunrise or sunsetevent, data indicative of one or more remote events such as an eventsensed by another luminaire, data indicative of one or more operationalparameters such as a luminous output level of the luminaire 100, orcombinations thereof.

The lighting subsystems 106 can each include any number of light sources120 capable of providing a luminous output at least in the human visibleelectromagnetic spectrum. In some instances, some or all of the lightingsubsystems 106 may include one or more non-dimmable light sources 120.In other instances, some or all of the lighting subsystems may includeone or more dimmable light sources. Some or all of the light sources 120may take the form of one or more incandescent light bulbs, one or morefluorescent light bulbs, HID light bulbs or lights, or one or more arclamps. More preferably, some or all of the light sources 120 may takethe form of one or more solid state light sources, for instance an arrayof light emitting diodes (LEDs), organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs),or polymer light emitting diodes (PLEDs). The one or more light sources120 do not necessarily have to be enclosed in a bulb structure. Forexample, the light sources may take the form of one-, two-, or eventhree-dimensional arrays of individual LEDs or strings of LEDs. Lightsource configurations other than the individual luminaire shown in FIG.1 may be used to equal effect. For example, the luminaire may include aplurality of directional lighting subsystems 106 mounted on a commonfixture and operated using a single control subsystem 104.

FIG. 2 shows additional details of an illustrative power subsystem 102and an illustrative control subsystem 104 disposed in a luminaire 200.The luminaire 200 includes the power subsystem 102, the controlsubsystem 104 and a single lighting subsystem 106 that includes a numberof light sources 120 a-120 n. Power circuits 204 a-204 n (collectively“power circuits 204”) are used to provide electric power from the powersubsystem 102 to the light sources 120.

The power subsystem 102 can include one or more devices, systems, orcombination of systems and devices (collectively “power converter 202”)suitable for converting an incoming power supply to any power outputhaving a waveform and proper voltage and current levels to illuminateall or a portion of the lighting subsystems 106. In at least someinstances, the power converter 202 can include a switch-mode powerconverter such as that described in U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationSer. No. 61/723,675, filed Nov. 7, 2012. A switch mode power convertermay include one or more rectification sections, one or more high speedswitching sections, one or more transformer sections, and one or moreoutput rectification sections. In at least some instances, theswitch-mode power converter can include a drive signal controller thatprovides a variable frequency, variable pulse width, or variable pulsewidth and frequency pulse width modulated (PWM) drive signal to the highspeed switching section. Adjusting either or both the frequency or thepulse width of the PWM drive signal can alter, adjust or control thepower delivered by the power converter 202 to the lighting subsystems106. In at least some instances, the control subsystem 104 can provideone or more control outputs to the drive signal controller to alter,adjust, or control the quantity of power delivered to, and consequentlythe luminous output of, the lighting subsystems 106.

In other instances, the power subsystem 102 may include a powerconverter 202 comprising a number of power adapters and driver circuits.In at least some instances, the driver circuits may include one or moremechanical or electromechanical switching devices to interrupt the flowof power to the light source 110. In some instances, the driver circuitscan include one or more semiconductor switching devices (e.g., a MixedOxide Semiconductor Field Effect Transistor or “MOSFET” of a bipolarjunction transistor or “BJT”) to alter, adjust or otherwise control theflow of power provided by the power converter 202 to the lightingsubsystems 106. In yet other instances, the driver circuits can includeone or more pulse width modulated (PWM) switching devices or systems toalter, adjust or otherwise control the flow of power provided by thepower converter 202 to the lighting subsystems 106. In at least someinstances, the control subsystem 104 can open, close, or otherwisecontrol the operational state of the one or more switches, semiconductorswitching devices or similar circuit interrupters.

The power subsystem 102 may be used to provide all or a portion of thepower to the lighting subsystems 106. In such instances, a controlsignal provided by the control subsystem 104 to the power subsystem 102may be used to selectively alter, adjust, or control the power output oroperation of an AC/DC switched mode converter. For example, an IRS2548DSMPS/LED Driver PFC+Half-Bridge Control IC as manufactured byInternational Rectifier Corp. (Los Angeles, Calif.) may be used to powersome or all of the lighting subsystems 106. In some instances, the powersupplied to the lighting subsystems 106 and consequently the luminousoutput of the light sources 120 in each of the lighting subsystems 106may be based partially or entirely upon data or information included inthe output signal provided by the control subsystem 104 to the powersubsystem 102. In such instances, the presence of a low output signal(e.g., a digital “0” signal) from the control subsystem 102 may increaseor permit the flow of current to some or all of the solid state lightsources 120 while the presence of a high output signal (e.g., a digital“1” signal) from the control subsystem 104 may decrease or inhibit theflow of current to some or all the solid state light sources 120.

As used herein and in the claims, adjusting an illumination levelincludes turning ON a light source from an OFF state in which no lightor illumination is produced to an ON state at which at least some lightor illumination is produced. As used herein and in the claims, adjustingan illumination level includes turning OFF a light source from an ONstate in which at least some light or illumination is produced to an OFFstate at which no light or illumination is produced.

As used herein and in the claims, adjusting an illumination level alsoincludes increasing and/or decreasing a level of light, luminousintensity or illumination produced. Such may include adjusting an outputlevel for any given discrete light source in one or more lightingsubsystems 106. Such may additionally or alternatively include adjustingthe state or intensity of a total number of light sources 120 that arein the ON state. For example, a first and second set or strings of lightsources 120 may be used to produce a first level of light, luminousoutput or illumination, while only the first set or string of lightsources 120 may be used to produce a second level of light, luminousoutput or illumination. Also for example, a first number of lightsources 120 in a first set or string may be used to produce the firstlevel of light, luminous output or illumination, while a smaller numberor subset of light sources 120 in the first set or string may be used toproduce the second level of light, luminous output or illumination.

The luminaire 200 includes the control subsystem 104 which may be aseparate component that can be added post-manufacture, for instance inthe form of a retrofit kit, to the luminaire (e.g., by “plugging in” amodular control subsystem 104 to the power subsystem 102 via interfaces108 as shown in FIG. 3) or may be integral to the luminaire 200 (e.g., acontrol subsystem 104 that is hardwired to the power subsystem 102 andlighting subsystems 106 as shown in FIG. 2).

Notably, the control subsystem 104 includes at least one microcontroller210. The control subsystem 104 may also optionally include any number ofsensors 112, for example one or more sensors able to detect motion of anobject in the vicinity of the luminaire 200 and one or morephotosensitive transducer 312 able to sense the varying levels (e.g.,power or intensity) of one or more light conditions in the ambientenvironment external to the luminaire 200. Where provided, thephotosensitive transducer 112 may be communicably coupled to themicrocontroller 210. In at least some instances, the at least onemicrocontroller 210 may be used to provide a PWM drive signal 218 to thepower converter 202. The microcontroller 210 can alter, adjust orotherwise control one or more aspects or parameters (e.g., pulse width,frequency, or both) of the PWM drive signal 218 to alter, adjust orcontrol the quantity of power transferred from the power converter 202to the lighting subsystem 104.

The control subsystem 104 may additionally include one or more real timeclock (“RTC”) circuits 214 or one or more time-keeping circuits 216.Temporal data provided by an RTC circuit 214 or time-keeping circuit 216may be combined by the microcontroller 210 with data from the sensors112 to determine one or more additional parameters related to an eventexternal to the luminaire 200. For example, data indicative of adistance between an object external to the luminaire 200 and theluminaire may be provided by a distance or proximity sensor 112 disposedwithin the luminaire 200. By determining the change in distance betweenan object and the luminaire 200 over a defined time interval, thedirection of travel (e.g., towards or away from the luminaire) and thevelocity of the object may be determined. In another example, a signalcontaining data indicative of the distance between an object and anotherluminaire may be received over a defined time interval via thecommunications interface 114 in the luminaire 200. Based on a definedspatial relationship between the two luminaires and the determineddirection of travel and velocity of the object, the microcontroller 210may begin increasing the luminous intensity of the lighting subsystem106 to achieve a desired luminous output coincident with the determinedtime of arrival of the object at the luminaire 200.

In other instances, the microcontroller 210 may use temporal dataprovided by the RTC circuit 214 or the timer circuit 216 to determinevia one or more algorithms or via one or more data look-up or retrievaloperations the time of occurrence of an expected solar event such as asunset event or sunrise event. In such instances, the microcontroller210 may communicate a signal 218 to the power converter 202 thatincludes data increasing the luminous output of the lighting subsystems106 from 0% to 100% at a time coordinated with the determined expectedtime of occurrence of a sunset event. Such a signal 218 may increaseeither the pulse width or frequency of the PWM drive signal 218 toprovide the requested 100% luminous output. The microcontroller 210 mayfurther communicate a subsequent signal 218 to the power converter 202decreasing the luminous output of the lighting subsystems 106 from 100%to 60% at a specific time (e.g., midnight). Such a subsequent signal 218may decrease either the pulse width or frequency of the PWM drive signal218 to provide the requested 60% luminous output.

The machine executable code, rules, or logic executed by themicrocontroller 210 may include any number of instruction sets, routinesor algorithms useful in controlling one or more aspects of the lightingsubsystem 106. For example, in one instance, the machine executablecode, rules, or logic executed by the microcontroller 210 may includedifferent routines (e.g., four or more routines) corresponding to arespective number of operating states or modes of the control subsystem104. In a first operating state or mode, and in the absence of any othersignals, the microcontroller 210 may control the luminous output of thelighting subsystem 106 based on a detected or determined ambientlighting condition external to the luminaire 200 (e.g., a control regimeproviding a dusk to dawn illumination regime in the area of theluminaire). In a second operating state or mode, the first operatingstate or mode is interrupted when a signal is received from aneighboring luminaire causing an increase in the luminous intensity ofthe lighting subsystem (e.g., responsive to movement of a remote objectdetected by the neighboring luminaire). In a third operating state ormode, the first state or mode or the second state or mode is interruptedwhen at least one of the sensors 112 provides a signal indicative of anexternal event in the vicinity of the luminaire 200 (e.g., responsive tomovement of a nearby object in the vicinity of the luminaire). In afourth operating state or mode, the first state or mode, the secondstate or mode, or the third state or mode is interrupted when at leastone of the sensors 112 provides a defined alert signal to themicrocontroller 210 (e.g., a signal indicating dangerous lightning inthe vicinity of the luminaire). Although four illustrative operatingstates or modes are described above, a greater or lesser number ofstates or modes may be readily encoded in machine executable code,rules, or logic by one of ordinary skill in the art.

The at least one microcontroller 210 may take any of a variety of forms,for example a microcontroller, programmable gate array (PGA),application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), digital signal processor(DSP), programmable logic controller (PLC) etc. The at least onemicrocontroller 210 may require very limited computing power, forexample an 8-bit microcontroller may be sufficient. The at least onemicrocontroller 210 may be communicatively coupled to receive signalsdirectly from the sensors 112. In some instances, the at least onemicrocontroller 210 can include internal nontransitory storage.Advantageously, the defined machine executable code, rules, or logicexecuted by the microcontroller 210 provides the control subsystem 104with the ability to autonomously adjust the luminous output of theluminaire 200 responsive to at least one of: one or more eventsoccurring in the vicinity of the luminaire 200 that are detected by thesensors 112; one or more events occurring remote from the luminaire 200and communicated to the luminaire 200 by neighboring luminaire; one ormore operational states of a neighboring luminaire that is communicatedto the luminaire 200; or any combination thereof.

In some instances, a single microcontroller 210 may control one or moreaspects of the operation of a plurality of wiredly or wirelesslynetworked luminaires 200. In such instances, the luminaires 200 in thenetwork may be addressed and/or controlled individually, addressedand/or controlled as a plurality of sub-networks, or addressed and/orcontrolled as a single network. In such an arrangement, the singlemicrocontroller 210 may transmit various signals exercising control overoperation of the luminaires 200 comprising the network.

The control subsystem 104 may optionally include nontransitory storagemedia 220. In at least some instances, at least a portion of thenontransitory storage media 220 may wholly or partially compriseremovable storage media such as secure digital (SD) or compact flash(CF) cards, universal serial bus (USB) memory sticks, or similar. Thenon-removable portion of the nontransitory storage media 220 may takeany of a variety of forms, for example electrically erasableprogrammable read only memory (EEPROM), flash memory, solid statememory, memristor memory, atomic memory, or combinations thereof. Thenontransitory storage media 220 may have sufficient capacity to store orotherwise retain the machine executable code, rules, or logic used bythe microcontroller 210 in altering, adjusting or controlling one ormore parameters of the luminaire 200. In other instances, thenontransitory storage media 220 may further include one or morealgorithms to calculate power consumption for the power converter 202 inthe power subsystem 102. For example, one or more algorithms tocalculate the power consumption of the power converter 202 based on PWMdrive signal pulse width or frequency. In some instances, thenontransitory storage media 220 may store one or more algorithms usefulin calculating one or more solar events. For example, the nontransitorystorage media may store data indicative of the actual or intendedoperating geolocation for use by the microcontroller 210 in determiningthe time of occurrence of an expected solar event such as a sunset eventor a sunrise event.

In at least some instances, the at least one nontransitory storage media220 can store or otherwise retain a number of look-up tables or othercomparable data structures. In at least some instances such tables maybe retained or otherwise stored at least in part on removable,replaceable, or reprogrammable nontransitory storage media. Such look-uptables or data structures may contain power consumption data for thepower converter 202 communicably coupled to the control subsystem 104.Such look-up tables or data structures may include location data oraddress data for a number of neighboring luminaires 200. Such look-uptables or data structures may contain astronomical data such as sunrisetimes and sunset times for the physical or geographic location at whichthe luminaire 200 is installed or intended for installation. In at leastsome instances, all or a portion of the determined power consumption,determined astronomical data, or combinations thereof may be broadcastcommunicated via the communications interface 114 to any number ofneighboring luminaires. In at least some instances, all or a portion ofthe determined power consumption, determined astronomical data, orcombinations thereof may be communicated via the communicationsinterface 114 to one or more specific neighboring luminaires via one ormore addressed signals.

In some instances, the at least one nontransitory storage media 220 canstore or otherwise retain a number of look-up tables or other comparabledata structures related to astronomical or solar event data. Suchastronomical or solar event data may include sunrise and sunset times,dusk and dawn times, solar noon and solar midnight times, and the like.In at least some instances, the at least one nontransitory storage media220 can store or contain geolocation information specific to theposition or location or the intended position or location of theluminaire 200 on the surface of the Earth. Such geolocation data caninclude at least the latitude or other similar positioning informationor coordinates sufficient to identify the location or intended locationof the luminaire 200 with respect to a pole or the equator or anysimilar fixed geographic reference point on the surface of the Earth. Insome implementations the geolocation data may include the longitude inaddition to the latitude. Longitude data may be useful, for example inidentifying a particular time zone (e.g., a time zone locationreferenced to a reference time or time zone such as coordinateduniversal time, UTC) in which the luminaire 200 is operating orprogrammed to operate. In some instances, dates and times correspondingto the conversion from daylight savings time to standard time (andvice-versa) may be stored within the nontransitory storage media 220 topermit the scheduled operation of the luminaire 200 to reflect suchlegislative time changes. Such geolocation, reference time, time zone,and daylight savings time data may be communicated to and stored in thenontransitory storage media 220, for example, using a portable handheldelectronic device having global positioning capabilities and acommunications link (wired or wireless, including RF, microwave oroptical such as infrared) to the luminaire 200. Alternatively,geolocation, reference time, time zone, or daylight savings timeinformation may be stored in a read-only portion of the at least onenontransitory storage media 220, for example when the luminaire 200 ismanufactured, installed, commissioned, programmed or serviced.

In some instances, the nontransitory storage media 220 may further storeor otherwise retain data representative of one or more other definedthresholds related to one or more sensed events. For example, one ormore defined thresholds related to events external to the luminaire 200such as events occurring in the external environment of the luminaire200 and detected by the sensors 112. In some instances, datarepresentative of one or more defined thresholds indicating varyinglevels of electromagnetic pulse strength, electromagnetic pulsedistance, or other electromagnetic characteristics associated withatmospheric electrical activity may be stored in the nontransitorystorage media 220. In other instances, data representative of one ormore defined thresholds indicating varying levels of optical signalstrength, optical signal distance, or other optical characteristicsassociated with atmospheric electrical activity may be stored in thenontransitory storage media 220. In yet other instances, datarepresentative of one or more defined thresholds indicating varyinglevels of acoustic signal strength, acoustic signal distance, or otheracoustic characteristics associated with atmospheric electrical activitymay be stored in the nontransitory storage media 220.

In at least some instances, data indicative of one or more alarm, alertor warning thresholds may be stored or otherwise retained in thenontransitory storage media 220. Such alarm, alert or warning thresholdsmay indicate an unexpected variance in the operation of the luminaire200 based on one or more signals provided by the sensors 112, anunexpected variance in the operation of the luminaire based on a signalfrom a neighboring luminaire, or the like.

The control subsystem 104 may include one or more integrated or discretereal time clock circuits 214. For example, a real time clock implementedon integrated circuit such as the PCF2129A as manufactured by NXPSemiconductors (Eindhoven, The Netherlands) may be used in someinstances. In at least some instances, the real time clock circuit 314may be persistently powered, for example using one or more batteries,capacitors, ultracapacitors or similar energy storage devices. Othercommercially available semiconductor chips providing real time clockfunctionality may be equally employed. The control subsystem 104 mayimplement a real time clock based on timing signals produced by themicrocontroller 210, processor clock, or another oscillator. The controlsubsystem 104 may optionally include a timer circuit 216 (e.g., adigital timing circuit or an analog timer circuit). In at least someinstances, the timer circuit 216 may be persistently powered, forexample using one or more batteries, capacitors, ultracapacitors orsimilar energy storage devices. The timer circuit 216 may producecontrol signals at defined periods following an occurrence of definedtimes as indicated by the real-time clock circuit 214 of the controlsubsystem 104.

The control subsystem 104 may include an optional power converter 222that rectifies, steps down a voltage or otherwise conditions electricalpower supplied to the at least one microcontroller 210, thenontransitory storage media 220 and/or other components of the controlsubsystem 104. In one instance, the power converter 222 may include anAC/DC converter used to step a voltage down to a first level suitablefor the control electronics of the control subsystem 104. An example ofsuch an AC/DC converter is a “capacitor dropping” type AC/DC converterincluding a moderately sized capacitor (e.g., 1 microfarad capacitor)and a rectifier or bridge rectifier including a capacitor and a half- orfull-bridge rectifier.

Although not shown in FIG. 2, the control subsystem 104 can include oneor more energy storage devices (e.g., battery cells, button cells,capacitors, super- or ultracapacitors, fuel cell), used to supply powerto the components of the control subsystem 104 when needed, for examplein the event of loss of power from the grid or other external powersource. For example, the one or more energy storage devices may supplypower to the real time clock circuit 214 or the timer circuit 216 ininstances where electrical power supplied by an electrical distributiongrid or network is interrupted. The one or more energy storage devicesmay also provide sufficient power to maintain the current date, day inthe solar cycle, or Julian date and the current time within the realtime clock circuit 214 during the luminaire manufacturing, shipping andinstallation process. In at least some instances, the current time caninclude a local time (i.e. the time in the time zone in which theluminaire is operating or intended to operate) or a universal time suchas coordinated universal time (UTC). Where a universal time is used, oneor more correction factors useful in converting the universal time to alocal time in which the luminaire is operating or intended to operatemay be stored in the nontransitory storage media 220.

In some instances, the current time and current date may be the localtime and the local date at the geographic location where the luminaireis installed or is intended for installation. Such local time and localdate information may be stored within the nontransitory storage media220 along with any local time changes (e.g., Daylight Savings timechangeover dates and times), leap years, or other events affecting thelocal time or local date. Such current time/current date or localtime/local date information may be periodically or continuously providedto or updated in the luminaire using one or more external electronicdevices. For example, the current or local time or date may beperiodically updated using an electronic device connected via a wired orwireless network, or a portable electronic device such as a cellulartelephone, portable data assistant, tablet computer, or the like.

Each luminaire 200 is able to autonomously control the operation of thelighting subsystems 106 using the sensors 112 and based on the machineexecutable code, rules, or logic executed by the microcontroller 210.Such control allows each luminaire 200 to autonomously alter, adjust orcontrol the luminous output of the lighting subsystems 106 responsive toone or more expected, sensed or detected external events occurring inthe vicinity of the luminaire 200. Advantageously, where a number ofcommunicably coupled, networked, luminaires 200 are disposed in an area,each of the luminaires 200 is able to communicate one or more signalsthat include data indicative of one or more events external to theluminaire as well as data indicative of the response (if any) taken bythe luminaire 200 to the external event. The communication of signalsincluding such data to some or all of the networked luminaires or anumber of the neighboring luminaires provide the ability for thenetworked or neighboring luminaires to alter, adjust or control theluminous output of their respective lighting subsystems 106 responsiveboth the received signal and to an expected, sensed or detected externalevent occurring in the vicinity of the respective luminaire 200.

In at least some instances, each of the communicably coupled, networked,luminaires 200 may be individually addressable to permit directed ortargeted (e.g., via a unicast or multicast transmission) rather thanbroadcast transmission of one or more signals between some but perhapsnot all of the luminaires 200 in the network. Such addressing may, forexample, be in the form of data including one or more unique identifiersdisposed in the microcontroller 210 or the nontransitory storage media220. In some instances, the address associated with a particularluminaire 200 can be immutable, permanently stored or “burned” in anontransitory, non-volatile storage location within the controlsubsystem 104 (e.g., a write once, read many or “WORM” storagelocation). In other instances, the address associated with a particularluminaire may be changed or rewritten. Such may provide the ability touse an easily understandable addressing scheme (e.g., addresses such as“floor 2 elevator,” “north entrance,” and “south entrance” are moreeasily understood than an arbitrary character string assigned by themanufacturer or supplier at the point of manufacture or assembly of theluminaire 200).

In at least some instances, each of the communicably coupled, networked,luminaires 200 may be placed in a particular physical location. Examplesinclude, but are not limited to, any number of luminaires placed along aroadway, a sidewalk, a parking lot, a parking garage, an industrialfacility, or the like. In at least some instances, a particularluminaire 200 may be associated with a particular geographic location.Where a particular luminaire 200 has a unique address, the addressitself may also be associated with the physical or geographic locationof the luminaire 200. In some instances, geographic location data may beautonomously stored in the control subsystem 104, for example using anon-board geolocation system such as a global positioning system (“GPS”)receiver or a cellular triangulation system. In some instances, anexternal geolocation system, for example a GPS receiver in a portablehandheld device may be used to transmit geolocation data to the controlsubsystem 104 via the communications interface 114. In yet otherinstances, the physical or geographic location data may be stored in thecontrol subsystem 104 at the time of manufacture, assembly, shipment,installation or configuration of the luminaire 200.

The physical or geographic location data for some or all of thenetworked luminaires 200 may be shared among the luminaires 200 suchthat each luminaire 200 can access data including information indicativeof the address and location of at least one neighboring luminaire 200.In some instances, each luminaire can access data including informationindicative of the address and location of at least one “nearestneighbor” luminaire. In other instances, each luminaire 200 can accessdata including information indicative of the address and location ofsome or all of the communicably coupled, networked, luminaires 200.

In some instances, the address and location data for a new luminairejoining the network may be autonomously propagated across the network,for example via one or more broadcast signals or via one or moreretransmitted targeted signals generated by the new luminaire when thenew luminaire joins to the network. In other instances, the address andlocation for a new luminaire joining the network may be manuallypropagated across the network, for example via one or more manuallygenerated broadcast signals or via one or more manually generatedretransmitted targeted signals (e.g., a unicast or multicast signal)generated by the new luminaire when the new luminaire joins to thenetwork. Such addressing and location data may be individually stored inthe control subsystem 104 in each luminaire 200 or may be stored in oneor more locations accessible via the network to all of the communicablycoupled luminaires.

The ability to individually address particular luminaires 200 provideseach luminaire 200 in the network with the ability to autonomouslyadjust one or more operating parameters responsive to the occurrence ofan external event in the vicinity of the luminaire as well as responsiveto the receipt of a signal transmitted by another luminaire in thenetwork. Such autonomous adjustment capability in each luminaire 200 isprovided by the machine executable code, rules, or logic executed by themicrocontroller 210. By providing each luminaire 200 in the network withthe ability to act and respond autonomously, a cellular automaton iscreated. Within the cellular automaton, an operating parameter of eachluminaire (e.g., the luminous output) is determined by the luminaireitself (e.g., in response to a signal provided by the sensors 112 andthe machine executable code, rules, or logic and the operating state ormode of the control subsystem of the respective luminaire) and by one ormore operating parameters of other luminaires within the network. Suchan arrangement advantageously permits the ability for themicrocontroller 210 to autonomously alter, adjust or control anoperating parameter of a first luminaire 200 in the network (e.g.,increasing the luminous output of a luminaire positioned at the frontdoor of a commercial building) based on at least one of: signal(s)received from the sensors 112 in the first luminaire 200 (e.g., a signalindicative of motion in the vicinity of the front door), signal(s)received from one or more second luminaires within the network (e.g., asignal indicative of motion sensed by a second luminaire positionedalong a driveway leading to the front door), based on a currentoperating state or mode of the luminaire itself, or any combinationthereof.

In some instances, the communicably coupled, networked, luminaires 200may be apportioned into a number of logically grouped cells, each cellcontaining at least one luminaire 200. Within a particular cell, each ofthe constituent luminaires may selectively operated by the controlsubsystem 104 either autonomously or in conjunction with the operationof one or more other constituent luminaires in the same cell accordingto one or more defined operating schemes. Luminaires may be groupedwithin a particular cell using one or more criteria. Example criteriainclude, but are not limited to, data indicative of the physicallocation of the luminaire, data indicative of the geographic location ofthe luminaire, data indicative of the address of the luminaire, or anycombination thereof.

Such cellular operating schemes may advantageously permit the autonomousalteration, adjustment, or control of one or more operating parametersof all of the luminaires in the cell upon detection of an external eventby at least one of: a constituent luminaire in the cell, anon-constituent luminaire external to the cell, or both. For example, anumber of luminaires in a stairwell of a multi-level parking garage maybe logically grouped into a single cell such that when any one of theluminaires in the cell detects motion (e.g., motion of a person in thestairwell), the luminous output of all of the luminaires in the cell(i.e., all of the luminaires in the stairwell) are increased to brightlyilluminate the stairwell.

As explained in detail below with reference to FIGS. 3-5, the at leastone microcontroller 210 can be used to perform multiple functions withineach of the communicably coupled, networked, luminaires 200. Forexample, machine executable code, rules, or logic can cause the at leastone microcontroller 210 can to control the luminous output of thelighting subsystems 106 in a defined manner responsive to sensed localexternal conditions such as ambient illumination levels, atmosphericevents, and the presence or movement of an object in the vicinity of theluminaire 200. Such machine executable code, rules, or logic can alsocause the at least one microcontroller 210 to control the luminousoutput of the lighting subsystems 106 in a defined manner responsive toremote external conditions such as ambient illumination levels,atmospheric events, and the presence or movement of an object that aresensed by another communicably coupled, networked, neighboring luminaireand communicated either directly to the luminaire 200 or to a luminairecell of which the luminaire 200 is a member. Such events may or may notbe within the local environment, and hence sensible, by the sensors 112on the luminaire 200.

In at least some instances, the microcontroller 210 can alsoadvantageously monitor the power consumed by the power subsystem 102 topower the lighting subsystem 104. Thus, the microcontroller 210 is in aunique position to establish, alter, adjust or control a desiredluminous output of the lighting subsystem 104 and to monitor the powerconsumption of the power subsystem 102 to confirm that the powerconsumption at any given luminous output level falls within a definedrange of acceptability. Such also allows the creation of alarms, alerts,or similar notifications communicable to one or more remote monitoringdevices or stations via the communications interface 114 when themeasured power consumption of the power subsystem 102 deviates from orfalls outside a defined range of acceptability based on the luminousoutput of the lighting subsystems 106. In operation, the microcontroller210 provides at least one signal 136 to the converter drive controller128. Responsive to the receipt of the signal 136 from the controlsubsystem 104, the converter drive controller 128 alters one or moreparameters of the PWM drive signal 130 provided to the switching section118 of the switch-mode power converter 102 to achieve the desired poweroutput and consequently the desired luminous output from the luminaire300.

FIG. 3 shows a first level parking garage 300 with eleven (11)communicably coupled luminaires 200 a-200 m (collectively “luminaires200”) grouped into five (5) luminaire cells 320 a-320 e (collectively“luminaire cells 320”). The parking lot 302 is divided into parkingstalls 304, an entrance 306, an exit 308 an elevator 310, pathwayportions 314, 316, 318, and a stairway 322. An automobile 312 is shownentering the parking lot 302 via the entrance 306. Each of theluminaires 200 is equipped with a control subsystem 104 comprising atleast a motion sensor 112, a communications interface 114 and amicrocontroller 210. Luminaires 200 a-200 c are positioned above pathway314, luminaires 200 d-200 f are positioned above pathway 316, andluminaires 200 g-200 j are positioned above pathway 318. Luminaire 200k, the sole member of luminaire cell 320 d, is positioned proximate theelevator 310 and luminaire 200 m, the sole member of luminaire cell 320e, is positioned proximate the stairway 322.

For clarity and ease of discussion, in the following description of FIG.3, the various components and subsystems in each of the luminaires 200will be followed by an alphabetic suffix when the component or subsystemis referenced to a single luminaire. For example, the power subsystem,control subsystem, and lighting subsystems of luminaire 200 a will bereferred to as power subsystem 102 a, control subsystem 104 a, andlighting subsystems 106 a. A reference without an alphabetic suffixshould be understood to refer to more than one such component orsubsystem.

Each of the luminaires 200 can include a nontransitory storage media 220that includes address and location data for some or all of the otherluminaires 200. For example, in some instances the nontransitory storagemedia 220 a in luminaire 200 a may include the address and physical orgeographic location data for all other luminaires 200 b-200 k. In otherinstances, the nontransitory storage media 220 a in luminaire 200 a mayinclude address and physical or geographic location data for a number ofdefined, selected, luminaires such as the nearest neighbor luminaire 200b and the elevator luminaire 200 k. Such address and physical orgeographic location data may be manually stored in the nontransitorystorage 220 a during manufacture, assembly, installation orconfiguration or may be autonomously acquired by and stored in thecontrol subsystem 104 in luminaire 200 a subsequent to installation. Inparking lot 300, the luminaires 200 have been grouped into threeluminaire cells 320 a, 320 b, 320 c corresponding respectively to eachof the three pathways 314, 316, 318 in the parking garage. A fourth cell320 d includes only luminaire 200 k.

Prior to entry of the automobile 312 into the parking garage 300, theluminaires 200 may be in an energy saving mode where the luminous outputof each is at some level less than 100% of their rated or nominaloutput, for example each of the luminaires 200 may be at a luminousoutput of 50% of their rated or nominal output. As the automobile 312proceeds into the parking garage 300 the motion sensor 112 in luminaire200 a detects the motion of the automobile towards the luminaire 200 a.In response to detecting the motion of the automobile 200 a, the controlsubsystem 104 a can increase the luminous output of the lightingsubsystem 106 a from 50% to 100%. Coincidental with the increase inluminous output, the control subsystem 104 a can generate one or moresignal outputs to some or all of the luminaires 200 b-200 k. In someinstances, such a signal output may include a broadcast signal to all ofthe remaining luminaires 200 b-200 k. In other instances, such a signaloutput may include a targeted signal (i.e., a unicast or multicastsignal) to one or more neighboring luminaires, for example luminaire 200b as the “nearest neighbor” or luminaires 200 b and 200 c asconstituents of the same luminaire cell. Other luminaires may alsoreceive the targeted signal. The signal output 330 a can include dataindicative detection of a moving object, as well as, of one or more of:the direction of motion of the object, the velocity of the object, otherexternal event parameters, the luminous output of the lightingsubsystems 102 a, other luminaire 200 a operating parameters, orcombinations thereof. Upon receipt by one or more remaining luminaires200 b-200 k, the machine executable code, rules, or logic in each of theremaining luminaires 200 b-200 k may or may not cause the controlsubsystem 104 b-104 k to adjust the luminous output of the respectivelighting subsystems 106 b-106 k.

For example, responsive to the detection of the direction of motion ofthe automobile 312 as sensed by the sensors 112 a and communicated viathe output signal 330 a, the luminous output of other luminaires 200 b,200 c in luminaire cell 320 a may increase to better illuminate thedriveway 314 where the automobile 312 will travel. Responsive to thedetection of the velocity of the automobile as sensed by the sensors 112a and communicated via the output signal 330 a, the rate of increase inthe luminous output of the other luminaires 200 b, 200 c in luminairecell 320 a may be adjusted to better illuminate the driveway 314 beforethe automobile 312 arrives at the location of luminaires 200 b, 200 c.In some instances, the luminous output of luminaire 200 a may be relatedto the detected velocity of the automobile 312 (e.g., a higher sensedautomobile velocity may cause a higher luminous output from lightingsubsystems 106 a). In such instances, rather than transmit an outputsignal 330 a including data indicative of the velocity of the automobile312, the control subsystem 104 a may instead transmit an output signal330 a including data indicative of the luminous output of the lightingsubsystems 106 a such that the lighting subsystems 106 b, 106 c canassume a similar luminous output level. Importantly, the recipientluminaires 200 b-200 k have no direct indication of the presence,motion, direction of motion, or velocity of the automobile 312, yet eachmay change their respective luminous output based on data contained inthe output signal 330 a provided by luminaire 200 a which does have adirect indication of the motion of the automobile 312.

In another example, prior to detecting any motion within the garage 300,the luminaires 200 may be in an energy saving mode where the luminousoutput of each is at some level less than 100% of their rated or nominaloutput, for example each of the luminaires 200 may be at a luminousoutput of 50% of their rated or nominal output. Upon detection by themotion sensor 112 a of motion having one or more characteristics (e.g.,speed, infrared profile, size, etc.) corresponding to pedestrian foottraffic proximate the luminaire 200 a, the control subsystem 104 a canincrease the luminous output of luminaire 200 a from 50% to 100% ofrated or nominal output. Coincidental with the increase in luminousoutput, the control subsystem 104 a can generate one or more signaloutputs to some or all of the luminaires 200 b-200 k. Responsive to thereceipt of the signal from luminaire 200 a indicative of pedestriantraffic within the garage 300, all of the luminaires 200 b-200 k mayincrease their respective luminous output to 75% of rated or nominaloutput to provide a uniform level of illumination throughout the garage300. Such a uniform level of illumination may be desirable sincepedestrians may not be limited to travel along pathways 314, 316, and318 (e.g., pedestrians can “short cut” between cars). As otherluminaires 200 b-200 k within the garage 300 detect proximate pedestriantraffic (or motion associated therewith), their respective luminousoutput may be increased from 75% to 100% of rated or nominal output.Thus, in at least some instances, different machine executable code,rules, or logic may be autonomously executed the controllers 104 in eachof the in each of the remaining luminaires 200 b-200 k dependent on thedetection of either vehicular or pedestrian traffic within the garage300 by any one of the luminaires 200 a-200 k.

An example machine executable code, rules, or logic used by themicrocontrollers 210 in each of the luminaires 200 a-200 j may includethe following:

-   1. Where the ambient light level as sensed by a photosensitive    transducer 112 b is less than a defined threshold (e.g., 10    foot-candles) and motion sensor 112 a detects motion, increase the    luminous output of the lighting subsystems 106 (e.g., increase    luminous output of the lighting subsystems in the luminaire sensing    the motion from 40% to 100% of rated output).-   2. If sensed ambient light levels are greater than 10 foot-candles    do not activate the luminaire responsive to motion (luminaire may    still be illuminated for other critical purposes, for example to    alert of nearby atmospheric electrical activity).-   3. If an output signal including data indicative of detected motion    is received from a remote luminaire, increase the luminous output of    the lighting subsystems 106 (e.g., increase luminous output of the    lighting subsystems in the recipient luminaire from 40% to 70% of    rated output).-   4. If an output signal including data indicative of detected motion    is received from a nearest neighbor luminaire, increase the luminous    output of the lighting subsystems 106 (e.g., increase luminous    output of the lighting subsystems in the recipient luminaire 200    from 40% to 100% of rated output).-   5. If motion is detected using motion sensor 112 a, transmit an    output signal including data indicative of the sensed motion via the    communications interface 114 and begin measuring elapsed time using    an RTC circuit 214 or a timer circuit 216.-   6. If luminous output is above a defined threshold (e.g., 40%), no    motion is detected by the motion sensor 112 a, no output signals    indicative of motion are received from a remote luminaire or a    nearest neighbor luminaire, and the elapsed time exceeds a defined    threshold (e.g., 30, 45, 60 seconds, etc.) then reduce luminous    output of the lighting subsystems 106 (e.g., reduce luminous output    of the lighting subsystems 106 to the defined threshold or less).-   7. If luminous output is above a defined threshold (e.g., 40% of    rated output), no motion is detected by the motion sensor 112 a, no    output signals indicative of motion are received from a remote    luminaire or a nearest neighbor luminaire, the elapsed time exceeds    a defined threshold (e.g., 30, 45, 60 seconds, etc.), and the time    of day as measured by an RTC circuit 214 is within a defined range    (e.g., 18:00 and 07:00) then reduce luminous output of the lighting    subsystems 106 (e.g., reduce luminous output of the lighting    subsystems 106 to 0% of rated output).-   8. If the time of day as measured by an RTC circuit 214 is within a    defined range (e.g., 07:00 and 18:00) and the ambient light level as    sensed by a photosensitive transducer 112 b is less than a defined    threshold (e.g., 10 foot-candles), increase the luminous output of    the lighting subsystems 106 to an intermediate level (e.g., increase    luminous output of the lighting subsystems 106 in the luminaire to    60% of rated output).

Although the machine executable code, rules, or logic are describedabove in a limited manner for clarity and conciseness, one canappreciate the advantages and flexibility afforded by themicrocontroller 210. For example, machine executable code, rules, orlogic for specialized situations (e.g., weekends, holidays, specialevents, etc.) can be developed and stored within the control subsystem104 for execution on the microcontroller 210.

The machine executable code, rules, or logic executed by the controlsubsystem 104 may be the same or different for each of the luminaires200. For example, detection of motion by luminaire 200 a may cause anincrease in luminous output of luminaires 200 b and 200 c, whiledetection of motion of an automobile 312 or an individual (not shown) byluminaire 200 c may cause an increase in luminous output of luminaires200 d-200 f. For safety, the machine executable code, rules, or logic inthe stairway luminaire 200 m may cause the microcontroller 210 tomaintain the lighting subsystems 106 in the stairway luminaire 200 m ata 100% of rated or nominal luminous output level at all times. All or aportion of the machine executable code, rules, or logic may be common toor shared by some or all of the luminaires 200. For example, sensedmotion of an automobile 312 or an individual (not shown) transiting theparking garage 300 by any of the luminaires 200 within the garage mayresult in an increase of the luminous output of the elevator luminaire200 k such that the area in the vicinity of the elevator 310 is brightlyilluminated for safe pedestrian ingress and egress.

An example machine executable code, rules, or logic used to control theoperation of the elevator luminaire 200 k may include the following:

-   1. If any luminaire 200 or luminaire cell 320 on the same floor of    the parking garage 300 is active, then increase the luminous output    of the lighting subsystems 106 in luminaire 200 k.-   2. If no luminaire 200 or luminaire cell 320 on the same floor of    the parking garage 300 is active and motion of the elevator door has    been detected by the motion sensor in luminaire 200 k, then reduce    the luminous output of the lighting subsystem 106 in luminaire 200    k.-   3. If no luminaire 200 or luminaire cell 320 on the same floor of    the parking garage is active and motion of the elevator door has not    been detected by the motion sensor in luminaire 200 k, then maintain    the luminous output of the lighting subsystems 106 in luminaire 200    k at the increased level.-   4. If time of day is within a defined range and no luminaire 200 or    luminaire cell 320 on the same floor of the parking garage 300 is    active, then decrease the luminous output of the lighting subsystems    106 in luminaire 200 k.

FIG. 4 shows a multi-level parking garage 400 with two (2) communicablycoupled luminaires 200 a-200 b (collectively “luminaires 200”). Anautomobile 312 is shown entering the parking garage 400. Each of theluminaires 200 is equipped with a control subsystem 104 comprising atleast a motion sensor 112 a, a photosensitive transducer 112 b, acommunications interface 114 and a microcontroller 210. Luminaires 200a, 200 b are positioned near the entrance where automobiles 312 enterthe parking garage 400. Luminaire 200 a is positioned closer to theentrance of the parking garage 400. The sun 404 illuminates a portion406 of the entrance of the parking garage 400, and casting a shadow 408in the remaining portion of the parking garage 400.

For at least a portion of the day, the photosensitive transducer 112 bin luminaire 200 a falls within the brightly illuminated portion 406 ofthe parking garage 400. In such instances, due to the high level ofambient light, the luminous output of luminaire 200 a may be adjusteddownward to 20-30% of rated or nominal output, or may even be adjustedto 0% of rated or nominal output to conserve energy. On the other hand,the photosensitive transducer 112 b in luminaire 200 b falls within aportion of the parking garage 400 that is shaded from the sun 404. Insuch instances, due to the relatively lower level of ambient light inthe shaded portion 408 of the parking garage 400, the luminous output ofluminaire 200 b may be greater than the luminous output of luminaire 200a commensurate with the degree of illumination in the parking garage400.

In some instances, energy conservation measures or economicconsiderations may favor an overall reduction in the power consumed byarea lighting such as that provided by luminaires 200 a and 200 b duringperiods of high ambient illumination such as when the sun 404 isshining. In such instances, the communicable coupling between theluminaires 200 a and 200 b may be used to reduce the luminous output ofluminaire 200 b when the photosensitive transducer 112 a in luminaire200 a detects a high level of ambient illumination that is indicative ofdaylight outside of the parking garage 400. For example, upon sensing anambient lighting condition indicative of daylight, the control subsystem104 in luminaire 200 a can reduce the luminous output of the lightsubsystems 106 to an energy conserving level and can also generate anoutput signal 330 a that includes data indicative of the luminous outputof the lighting subsystems 106. Upon receipt of the output signal 330 a,machine executable code, rules, or logic can cause the control subsystem104 in luminaire 200 b to reduce the luminous output of the lightingsubsystems 106 based solely upon the data contained in the output signalprovided by luminaire 200 a and even though luminaire 200 b remains in arelatively low ambient light location within the parking garage 400.Importantly, in the absence of the machine executable code, rules, orlogic and the output signal received from luminaire 200 a, no suchreduction in luminous output of luminaire 200 b (and consequent energysavings attendant thereto) would occur.

In some instances, the machine executable code, rules, or logic maycause the microcontroller 210 in each of the luminaires 200 a-200 b tomaintain luminaires 200 a-200 b can maintain a constant level ofillumination level throughout each level of the parking garage 400. Suchmay be required to comply with local, state, federal or municipal codes,rules or regulations that specify minimum desired illumination levelsfor parking garages (e.g., a minimum of 2 foot-candles horizontal and 1foot-candle vertical during daylight hours and a minimum of 1foot-candle horizontal and 0.5 foot-candles vertical during eveninghours). Operating the lighting subsystems 106 in luminaire 200 b atmaximum luminous output (e.g., 100%) during daylight hours,photosensitive transducer 112 b on luminaire 200 b may provide an outputsignal including data indicative of a sensed illumination level of 2.2foot-candles horizontal and 1.1 foot-candles vertical. Upon receipt ofthe output signal including the sensed illumination levels provided byluminaire 200 b, the machine executable code, rules, or logic may causemicrocontroller 210 to reduce the luminous output of the lightingsubsystems 106 in luminaire 200 a to operate at a reduced luminousoutput (e.g., 60%) to match the luminous output of luminaire 200 b. Suchreduced luminous output can conserve energy by reducing the powerconsumption of luminaire 200 a by taking advantage of the contributionof the ambient light provided by the sunlight 406 that is sensed by thephotosensitive transducer 112 b in luminaire 200 a.

Advantageously, the communicably coupled, networked, luminaires 200provide a system having tremendous built-in redundancy. For example, afailure of a photosensitive transducer 112 b on any one luminaire 200 ina parking garage luminaire network may result in the luminaire 200operating unpredictably or in an undesirable manner (e.g., remaining at0% or 100% of rated or nominal output). By communicably coupling all ofthe luminaires 200 in the parking garage, based on address and physicallocation data, the luminaire with the failed photosensitive transducer112 b can select a similarly positioned neighboring luminaire 200 (e.g.,a luminaire 200 at the same location on a different level of the parkinggarage). After selecting an appropriate neighboring luminaire 200, theluminaire with the failed photosensitive transducer 112 b can mirror theluminous output of the selected neighboring luminaire 200.

Although only a small portion of a much larger parking garage 400 andtwo luminaires 200 are shown in FIG. 4, tens, hundreds, or eventhousands of luminaires 200 may be disposed in a parking garage havingtwo to twenty levels. Such structures are exemplified by the massiveparking structures commonly found at large international airports andnational or regional hub airports. Communicably coupling and networkingall or a portion of the multitude of luminaires 200 present in such anenvironment can provide operational advantages, for example byautonomously increasing the luminous output of neighboring luminaires200 to assist in covering a darkened area caused by a failed luminaire200. Such may also advantageously provide economic advantages, forexample by altering the luminous output of the lighting subsystems 106in luminaires 200 with failed photosensitive transducers 112 responsiveto the receipt of output signals from luminaires having operatingphotosensitive transducers 112. Such operational adjustments are madeautonomously and selectively by the luminaires 200 forming the networkbased on the machine executable code, rules, or logic provided in thecontrol subsystem 104 of each luminaire 200.

FIG. 5 shows an illustrative illumination system 500 used to providearea illumination of a generally east-west roadway 502 on which vehicles504 travel and a generally east-west sidewalk 510 on which pedestrianstravel 512. A vehicle 504 is shown traveling in a westward direction ata velocity of 80 kilometers per hour (km/hr). A pedestrian 512 is showntraveling in an eastward direction at a velocity of 5 km/hr. Luminaires200 a-200 c line the north side of the roadway 502 while luminaires 200d-200 f (luminaires 200 a-200 f hereinafter collectively “luminaires200”) line the south side of the roadway 502. One or more motion sensors112 a and one or more photosensitive transducers 112 b may be includedin the control subsystem 104 of each of the respective luminaires 200.The roadway 502 can be a heavily used primary thoroughfare or anoccasionally used country road. In at least some instances, theluminaires 200 can be individually addressed and the associated physicalor geographic location of each of the luminaires 200 can be stored orotherwise retained in the control subsystem 104 in each of therespective luminaires 200.

In at least some instances, the luminous output of the luminaires 200along the roadway 502 may be altered, adjusted or controlled by themicrocontroller 210 responsive to the time of occurrence of an expectedsolar event, for example a sunset event or a sunrise event. Such timesof occurrence of expected solar events may be calculated by the controlsubsystem 104, for example using geolocation and local date informationin the sunrise equation, or using data look-up or retrieval based ongeolocation and local date information. In other instances, thephotosensitive transducer 112 b can be use to sense the occurrence ofambient lighting conditions indicative of a sunset or sunrise events.The luminous output of luminaires 200 lining a primary thoroughfareexperiencing sustained, 24 hour per day, traffic may be maintained at adefined level (e.g., 90% to 100% of rated or nominal output) between thesunset event and the sunrise event. The luminous output of luminaires200 lining an occasionally used roadway may be maintained at a lowerlevel of illumination (e.g., 40% to 60% of rated or nominal output)until motion in the form of vehicular 504 or pedestrian 512 traffic isdetected by the motion sensor 112 a.

The luminous output of the lighting subsystems 106 in each of theluminaires 200 a-200 c along the westbound roadway 502 can be altered,adjusted or controlled responsive to one or more parameters indicativeof the motion of the vehicle 504. Upon detection of the direction ofmotion and optionally the velocity of the moving vehicle 504 by a firstluminaire (e.g., luminaire 200 c), the first luminaire 200 c cangenerate a broadcast or targeted output signal including data indicativeof the sensed motion of the vehicle 504, the sensed direction of motionof the vehicle 504, the sensed velocity of the vehicle 504 and theluminous output of the lighting subsystems 106 in luminaire 200 c. Sincethe luminaires 200 a-200 c are communicably coupled and are physicallyor geographically mapped, luminaires 200 a and 200 b can determine thatthe motion of the vehicle 504 will result in the vehicle passingproximate each of a number of the luminaires.

If the velocity of the vehicle 504 is included in the output signalgenerated by luminaire 200 c, luminaires 200 a and 200 b can determineeither a differential (e.g., in 24 seconds based on a timing circuit) orabsolute time (e.g., at 20:04:25 based on an RTC circuit) at which thevehicle 504 will arrive. Luminaires 200 a and 200 b are thus able torespond proactively to the motion of the vehicle 504 detected byluminaire 200 c. For example, luminaires 200 a and 200 b can increasethe luminous output of their respective lighting subsystems 106 beforetheir respective motion sensors 112 a detect the motion of the vehicle504. In at least some instances, the number of luminaires 200 having anincreased luminous output along the forward path of the vehicle 504 maybe adjusted based at least in part on the velocity of the vehicle 504.For example, responsive to the receipt of an output signal includingdata indicative of a vehicle 504 traveling at a velocity of 80 km/hr theluminous output of five upcoming luminaires 200 may be increased, whileresponsive to the receipt of an output signal including data indicativeof a vehicle 504 traveling at a velocity of 40 km/hr, the luminousoutput of three upcoming luminaires 200 may be increased. The luminousintensity of the lighting subsystems 106 may be decreased when thevehicle 504 is no longer proximate the respective luminaire 200 a-200 c.

In some instances, the rate of increase or decrease in luminous outputof all or a portion of the luminaires 200 a-200 c may be altered,adjusted, or controlled responsive to one or more parameters indicativeof motion of the vehicle 504. For example, the luminous output of theluminaires 200 in the forward path of a vehicle 504 moving at a highrate of speed may be rapidly increased to provide the greatest possiblesight distance to the occupants of the vehicle 504. Similarly, theluminous output of the luminaires 200 in the rearward path of thevehicle 504 moving at a high rate of speed may be rapidly decreasedsince little need exists to maintain an increased illumination level tothe rear of the vehicle 504.

The luminous output of the lighting subsystems 106 in each of theluminaires 200 d-200 f along the eastbound roadway 502 can be altered,adjusted or controlled responsive to one or more parameters indicativeof the motion of the pedestrian 512. Upon detection of the direction ofmotion and optionally the velocity of the pedestrian 512 by a firstluminaire (e.g., luminaire 200 d), the first luminaire can generate abroadcast or targeted output signal including data indicative of thesensed motion of the pedestrian 512, the sensed direction of motion ofthe pedestrian 512, the sensed velocity of the pedestrian 512 and theluminous output of the lighting subsystems 106 in the first luminaire.Since the luminaires 200 d-200 f are communicably coupled and arephysically or geographically mapped, luminaires 200 e and 200 f candetermine that the motion of the pedestrian 512 will result in thepedestrian passing along a path proximate each of the luminaires. If thevelocity of the pedestrian 512 is included in the output signalgenerated by luminaire 200 d, luminaires 200 e and 200 f can determineeither a differential (e.g., in 24 seconds based on a timing circuit) orabsolute time (e.g., at 20:04:25 based on an RTC circuit) at which thepedestrian 512 will arrive. Luminaires 200 e and 200 f are thus able torespond proactively to the motion of the pedestrian 512 detected byluminaire 200 d. For example, luminaires 200 e and 200 f can increasethe luminous output of their respective lighting subsystems 106 beforetheir respective motion sensors 112 a detect the motion of thepedestrian 512. The luminous intensity of the lighting subsystems 106may be decreased when the pedestrian 512 is no longer proximate therespective luminaire 200 d-200 f.

In some instances, the rate of increase or decrease in luminous outputof the luminaires 200 d-200 f can be altered, adjusted, or controlledbased on one or more parameters indicative of motion of the pedestrian512. For example, the luminaires 200 d-200 f may be able to discernbetween pedestrian and vehicular traffic based on one or more parameters(e.g., size of object, velocity of object, location of object, etc.).Upon detecting a slow moving object having one or more characteristicsof pedestrian traffic, the machine executable code, rules, or logic maycause the microcontrollers 210 in each of the luminaires 200 d-200 f toincrease the luminous output of the lighting subsystems 106 in theluminaires 200 e-200 f in the path of the pedestrian at a defined timebefore the expected passage of the pedestrian proximate the luminaire200 e-200 f. Such may improve the sense of security and well-being feltby the pedestrian 512 as the upcoming sidewalk 510 will be brightlyilluminated prior to their arrival. Similarly, the decrease in luminousoutput of the luminaires 200 behind the pedestrian 512 may be delayedbased on the relatively low velocity of the pedestrian 512 to maintainan increased illumination level to the rear of the pedestrian 512thereby increasing the pedestrian's sense of safety and well-being.

In some instances, the machine executable code, rules, or logic maypermit the microcontroller 210 to increase the luminous output of thelighting subsystems 106 to 100% of rated or nominal output in all or anumber of the luminaires 200 along the roadway 502 upon receipt of oneor more override or emergency signals. Such override or emergencysignals may be wiredly or wirelessly transmitted to one or moreluminaires 200 and transmitted to some or all of the communicablycoupled luminaires 200. Such may be useful in assisting first respondersand other emergency personnel responding to accidents or other eventsthat have occurred on or proximate the roadway 502.

FIG. 6 shows an illustrative method 600 of controlling one or morenetworked luminaires 200, according to at least one illustratedembodiment. Upon detection of a local motion event by a luminaire 200 orupon receipt of a signal including data indicative of a motion eventsensed by a neighbor luminaire or a remote luminaire by the luminaire200, the control subsystem 104 in the luminaire 200 can increase theluminous output of the lighting subsystems 106. The luminaire 200 canalso generate an output signal that includes data indicative of at leastone of the motion event or one or more operating parameters of theluminaire 200 for transmission to one or more communicably coupledluminaires. After the motion event is no longer detected by theluminaire 200, a neighboring luminaire or a remote luminaire, theluminaire 200 can initiate a timer. If the timer expires without amotion event detected by the luminaire 200, the neighboring luminaire,or a remote luminaire, the control subsystem 104 in the luminaire 200can reduce the luminous intensity of the lighting subsystems 106. Such asystem can advantageously be used in applications where luminaires areused to provide illumination to promote the safe movement of objectswithin a defined area, for example movement of vehicles or pedestriansalong a roadway, in a parking lot, or in a parking garage. The methodcommences at 602.

At 604, the microcontroller 210 determines if a local motion event hasoccurred in the vicinity of the luminaire 200. Such determination may bebased on receipt of a signal from one or more sensors 112, for example aDoppler motion sensor, disposed in the control subsystem 104 of theluminaire 200. The local motion event may include at least one of: achange in distance between the luminaire 200 and an external object inthe vicinity of the luminaire 200, a direction of motion of an externalobject in the vicinity of the luminaire 200, or a velocity of anexternal object in the vicinity of the luminaire 200. In at least someinstances, one or more threshold values may be applied to categorize orclassify the movement sensed by the at least one sensor 112. Forexample, machine executable code, rules, or logic used by themicrocontroller 210 to discern motion of an external object in thevicinity of the luminaire may result in signals indicative of the motionof an object less than a defined mass threshold or smaller than adefined size threshold not being considered indicative of motion of anexternal object in the vicinity of the luminaire 200. Such filtering canadvantageously reduce the occurrence of “false alarms” and resultanterroneous or inconsistent operation of the luminaire 200.

At 606, responsive to sensing the motion of an external object in thevicinity of the luminaire 200, the machine executable code, rules, orlogic can cause the microcontroller 210 to increase the luminous outputof the lighting subsystems 106 in luminaire 200 to a first level. Thefirst level can include any level of luminous output from 1% to 100% ofrated or nominal output. Adjusting the luminous output of the lightingsubsystems 106 may, in some instances, take the form of increasing theduty cycle of a pulse width modulated (“PWM”) drive signal (i.e.,increasing the frequency, pulse width, or both) provided to the powerconverter 202 such that the power delivered to the lighting subsystems106 is increased to the first level.

At 608, responsive to adjusting or altering the luminous output of thelighting subsystems 106, the machine executable code, rules, or logiccan cause the microcontroller 210 to generate at least one output signalincluding data indicative of at least one of: one or more parametersrelated to the sensed motion event that occurred in the vicinity of theluminaire 200 or one or more operational parameters of the luminaire 200(e.g., PWM drive signal parameters, luminous output parameters, powerconsumption parameters, etc.). The output signal so generated may betransmitted via the communications interface 114 as a targeted orbroadcast output signal directed to some or all of the remainingluminaires in a communicably coupled network of luminaires. In someinstances, the output signal may be targeted to only those luminairespreviously addressed and identified as “neighboring luminaires.” Inother instances, the output signal so generated and transmitted may betargeted or broadcast to some or all of the remaining, remote,luminaires in the network.

At 610, the microcontroller 210 determines if an output signal includingdata indicative of motion of an object in the vicinity of a neighboringluminaire has been received from the neighboring luminaire at thecommunications interface 114. The output signal received from theneighboring luminaire can include at least one of the following: achange in distance between the neighboring luminaire and an externalobject in the vicinity of the neighboring luminaire, a direction ofmotion of an external object in the vicinity of the neighboringluminaire, or a velocity of an external object in the vicinity of theneighboring luminaire.

At 612, responsive to the receipt of the output signal including dataindicative of motion of an object in the vicinity of the neighboringluminaire, the machine executable code, rules, or logic can cause themicrocontroller 210 to increase the luminous output of the lightingsubsystems 106 in luminaire 200 to a second level. The second level caninclude any level of luminous output from 1% to 100% of rated or nominaloutput. In some instances, the first level and second level may causethe same or substantially similar levels of luminous output from thelighting subsystems 106. Adjusting the luminous output of the lightingsubsystems 106 may, in some instances, take the form of increasing theduty cycle of a pulse width modulated (“PWM”) drive signal (i.e.,increasing the frequency, pulse width, or both) provided to the powerconverter 202 such that the power delivered to the lighting subsystems106 is increased to the second level.

At 614, the microcontroller 210 determines if an output signal includingdata indicative of motion of an object in the vicinity of a remoteluminaire in the network has been received from the remote luminaire atthe communications interface 114. The output signal received from theremote luminaire can include at least one of the following: a change indistance between the remote luminaire and an external object in thevicinity of the remote luminaire, a direction of motion of an externalobject in the vicinity of the remote luminaire, or a velocity of anexternal object in the vicinity of the remote luminaire.

At 616, responsive to the receipt of the output signal including dataindicative of motion of an object in the vicinity of the remoteluminaire, the machine executable code, rules, or logic can cause themicrocontroller 210 to increase the luminous output of the lightingsubsystems 106 in luminaire 200 to a third level. The third level caninclude any level of luminous output from 1% to 100% of rated or nominaloutput. In some instances, the first level, second level, and thirdlevel may cause the same or substantially similar levels of luminousoutput from the lighting subsystems 106. Adjusting the luminous outputof the lighting subsystems 106 may, in some instances, take the form ofincreasing the duty cycle of a pulse width modulated (“PWM”) drivesignal (i.e., increasing the frequency, pulse width, or both) providedto the power converter 202 such that the power delivered to the lightingsubsystems 106 is increased to the third level.

At 618, the microcontroller 210 determines whether any or all of thelighting subsystems 106 are illuminated. In some instances, themicrocontroller 210 can determine whether the lighting subsystems 106are illuminated based on the power consumption of the power converter202. In some instances, the microcontroller 210 can determine whetherthe lighting subsystems 106 are illuminated based on a signal providedby a photosensitive transducer 112 b in the control subsystem 104. Inyet other instances, the microcontroller 210 can determined whether thelighting subsystems 106 are illuminated based on the duty cycle of thePWM drive signal provided to the power converter 202. If the lightingsubsystems 106 have not been not illuminated the microcontroller 210continues to scan for a local motion event in the vicinity of theluminaire 200, an output signal including data indicative of motion ofan object in the vicinity of a neighboring luminaire, or an outputsignal including data indicative of motion of an object in the vicinityof a remote luminaire in the network.

If the lighting subsystems have previously been illuminated responsiveto a local motion event in the vicinity of the luminaire 200, an outputsignal including data indicative of motion of an object in the vicinityof a neighboring luminaire, or an output signal including dataindicative of motion of an object in the vicinity of a remote luminairein the network, at 620 the microcontroller 210 determines whether atimer is active. In at least some instances, the machine executablecode, rules, or logic maintain the luminous output of the lightingsubsystems 106 at an elevated level after the local motion event in thevicinity of the luminaire 200, output signal including data indicativeof motion of an object in the vicinity of a neighboring luminaire, oroutput signal including data indicative of motion of an object in thevicinity of a remote luminaire in the network indicate the object is nolonger detected. Such an elevated illumination level may be maintainedfor a defined period of time. The timer may be used to determine whetherthe lighting subsystem has remained illuminated for at least the definedperiod of time after the local motion event in the vicinity of theluminaire 200, output signal including data indicative of motion of anobject in the vicinity of a neighboring luminaire, or output signalincluding data indicative of motion of an object in the vicinity of aremote luminaire in the network indicate the object is no longerdetected.

At 622, responsive to determining that a timer has not been activated at620, the microcontroller 210 can start a timer. The timer can include areal time clock circuit 214 or a timer circuit 216. After starting thetimer the microcontroller 210 continues to scan for a local motion eventin the vicinity of the luminaire 200, an output signal including dataindicative of motion of an object in the vicinity of a neighboringluminaire, or an output signal including data indicative of motion of anobject in the vicinity of a remote luminaire in the network.

At 624, responsive to determining that a time has been activated, themachine executable code, rules, or logic cause the microcontroller 210to determine whether an elapsed time measured by the timer has exceededa defined timer threshold. In at least some instances, the defined timerthreshold can be a single value, after which the microcontroller reducesthe luminous output of the lighting subsystems 106. In other instances,the defined time threshold may include multiple values or a determinedvalue to reduce the luminous output of the lighting subsystems 106 aftera defined time that is based on one or more external factors. Suchexternal factors may include the direction of motion of the externalobject, the velocity of the object, the size of the object, or any othermeasurable quantity or parameter associated with the object. If themicrocontroller 210 determines that the timer has not yet exceeded thedefined timer threshold, the microcontroller 210 continues to scan for alocal motion event in the vicinity of the luminaire 200, an outputsignal including data indicative of motion of an object in the vicinityof a neighboring luminaire, or an output signal including dataindicative of motion of an object in the vicinity of a remote luminairein the network.

At 626, responsive to determining that the timer has exceeded thedefined timer threshold, the machine executable code, rules, or logiccan cause the microcontroller 210 to decrease the luminous output of thelighting subsystems 106. Additionally, at 628, the machine executablecode, rules, or logic can further cause the microcontroller 210 togenerate at least one output signal including data indicative of atleast one of: one or more parameters related to the reduction inluminous intensity of the lighting subsystems 106. The output signal sogenerated may be transmitted via the communications interface 114 as atargeted or broadcast output signal directed to some or all of theremaining luminaires in a communicably coupled network of luminaires. Insome instances, the output signal may be targeted to only thoseluminaires previously addressed and identified as “neighboringluminaires.” In other instances, the output signal so generated andtransmitted may be targeted or broadcast to some or all of theremaining, remote, luminaires in the network. After generating theoutput signal at 628, the microcontroller 210 continues to scan for alocal motion event in the vicinity of the luminaire 200, an outputsignal including data indicative of motion of an object in the vicinityof a neighboring luminaire, or an output signal including dataindicative of motion of an object in the vicinity of a remote luminairein the network.

Also for example, the various methods may include additional acts, omitsome acts, and may perform the acts in a different order than set out inthe various flow diagrams. The use of ordinals such as first, second andthird, do not necessarily imply a ranked sense of order, but rather mayonly distinguish between multiple instances of an act or structure.

Also for example, the foregoing detailed description has set forthvarious embodiments of the devices and/or processes via the use of blockdiagrams, schematics, and examples. Insofar as such block diagrams,schematics, and examples contain one or more functions and/oroperations, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that eachfunction and/or operation within such block diagrams, flowcharts, orexamples can be implemented, individually and/or collectively, by a widerange of hardware, software, firmware, or virtually any combinationthereof. In one embodiment, the present subject matter may beimplemented via one or more microcontrollers. However, those skilled inthe art will recognize that the embodiments disclosed herein, in wholeor in part, can be equivalently implemented in standard integratedcircuits (e.g., Application Specific Integrated Circuits or ASICs), asone or more computer programs executed by one or more computers (e.g.,as one or more programs running on one or more computer systems), as oneor more programs executed by one or more controllers (e.g.,microcontrollers), as one or more programs executed by one or moreprocessors (e.g., microcontrollers), as firmware, or as virtually anycombination thereof, and that designing the circuitry and/or writing thecode for the software and/or firmware would be well within the skill ofone of ordinary skill in the art in light of the teachings of thisdisclosure. For example, the control subsystem may include an analogelectronic delay circuit such as a capacitor based timer circuit withdefined delay times, to implement one or more of the specific adjustmenttimes (e.g., times as indicated by the clock when light sources will beturned ON, decreased output, increased output, turned OFF).

When logic is implemented as software and stored in memory, logic orinformation can be stored on any computer-readable medium for use by orin connection with any processor-related system or method. In thecontext of this disclosure, a memory is a computer-readable storagemedium that is an electronic, magnetic, optical, or other physicaldevice or means that non-transitorily contains or stores a computerand/or processor program. Logic and/or information can be embodied inany computer-readable medium for use by or in connection with aninstruction execution system, apparatus, or device, such as acomputer-based system, processor-containing system, or other system thatcan fetch the instructions from the instruction execution system,apparatus, or device and execute the instructions associated with logicand/or information.

In the context of this specification, a “computer-readable medium” canbe any element that can store the program associated with logic and/orinformation for use by or in connection with the instruction executionsystem, apparatus, and/or device. The computer-readable medium can be,for example, but is not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical,electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus or device.More specific examples (a non-exhaustive list) of the computer readablemedium would include the following: a portable computer diskette(magnetic, compact flash card, secure digital, or the like), a randomaccess memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmableread-only memory (EPROM, EEPROM, or Flash memory), a portable compactdisc read-only memory (CDROM), and digital tape.

The various embodiments described above can be combined to providefurther embodiments. To the extent that they are not inconsistent withthe specific teachings and definitions herein, all of the U.S. patents,U.S. patent application publications, U.S. patent applications, foreignpatents, foreign patent applications and non-patent publicationsreferred to in this specification and/or listed in the Application DataSheet, including but not limited to

U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/052,924, filed May 13, 2008;U.S. Patent Publication No. US 2009/0284155, published Nov. 19, 2009;U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/051,619, filed May 8, 2008;U.S. Pat. No. 8,118,456, issued Feb. 12, 2012; U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 61/088,651, filed Aug. 13, 2008; U.S. Patent PublicationNo. US 2010/0090577, published Apr. 15, 2010; U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 61/115,438, filed Nov. 17, 2008; U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 61/154,619, filed Feb. 23, 2009; U.S. Patent PublicationNo. US2010/0123403, published May 20, 2010; U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 61/174,913, filed May 1, 2009; U.S. Patent PublicationNo. US2010/0277082, published Nov. 4, 2010; U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 61/180,017, filed May 20, 2009; U.S. Patent PublicationNo. US2010/0295946, published Nov. 25, 2010; U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 61/229,435, filed Jul. 29, 2009; U.S. Patent PublicationNo. US2011/0026264, published Feb. 3, 2011; U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 61/295,519 filed Jan. 15, 2010; U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 61/406,490 filed Oct. 25 2010; U.S. Patent PublicationNo. US2011/0175518, published Jul. 21, 2011; U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 61/333,983, filed May 12, 2010; U.S. PatentPublication No. US2010/0295454, published Nov. 25, 2010; U.S.Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/346,263, filed May 19, 2010,U.S. Patent Publication No. US2010/0295455, published Nov. 25, 2010;U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/357,421, filed Jun. 22,2010; U.S. Patent Publication No. US2011/0310605, published Dec. 22,2011; U.S. Patent Publication No. 2012/0262069, published Oct. 18, 2012;U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 13/212,074, filed Aug.17, 2011; U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/527,029, filedAug. 24, 2011; U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No.13/592,590 filed Aug. 23, 2012; U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser.No. 61/534,722, filed Sep. 14, 2011; U.S. Non-Provisional patentapplication Ser. No. 13/619,085, filed Sep. 14, 2012; U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application Ser. No. 61/567,308, filed Dec. 6, 2011; U.S.Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/561,616, filed Nov. 18, 2011;U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/641,781, filed May 2,2012; U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 13/411,321 filedMar. 2, 2012; U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/640,963,filed May 1, 2012; U.S. Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No.13/558,191 filed Jul. 25, 2012; U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser.No. 61/692,619, filed Aug. 23, 2012; U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationSer. No. 61/694,159, filed Aug. 28, 2012; U.S. Non-Provisional patentapplication Ser. No. 13/604,327 filed Sep. 5, 2012; U.S. ProvisionalPatent Application Ser. No. 61/723,675, filed Nov. 7, 2012; and U.S.patent application Ser. No. 13/786,332 filed Mar. 5, 2013 and areincorporated herein by reference, in their entirety. Aspects of theembodiments can be modified, if necessary, to employ systems, circuitsand concepts of the various patents, applications and publications toprovide yet further embodiments.

These and other changes can be made to the embodiments in light of theabove-detailed description. In general, in the following claims, theterms used should not be construed to limit the claims to the specificembodiments disclosed in the specification and the claims, but should beconstrued to include all possible embodiments along with the full scopeof equivalents to which such claims are entitled. Accordingly, theclaims are not limited by the disclosure.

The invention claimed is:
 1. An illumination system, comprising: aluminaire including at least one light source; a controller to provide asignal output that autonomously adjusts a luminous output level of theat least one light source, the controller including at least oneprocessor; a sensor communicably coupled to the controller to provide asignal that includes information indicative of an occurrence or a lackof occurrence of a defined event; and at least one set of machineexecutable instructions that when executed by the at least one processorcause the at least one processor to: determine whether the sensor is inat least one of: an operational mode or a failure mode; whereinresponsive to a determination that the sensor is in the failure mode,the processor provides the signal output based at least in part on atleast one value determined by the processor until a subsequentdetermination by the processor that the sensor is in the operationalmode; and wherein responsive to a determination that the sensor is inthe operational mode, the processor provides the signal output based atleast in part on the information included in the signal provided by theat least one sensor until a subsequent determination by the processorthat the sensor is in the failure mode.
 2. The illumination system ofclaim 1 wherein the sensor includes at least a photosensitivetransducer, the information included in the signal provided by thesensor includes information indicative of an occurrence of a change inan ambient atmospheric light level corresponding to at least one of: asunrise event or a sunset event, and the at least one value determinedby the processor includes data indicative of at least one expectedastronomical event.
 3. The illumination system of claim 2 wherein the atleast one expected astronomical event comprises at least one of anexpected sunrise event, or an expected sunset event.
 4. The illuminationsystem of claim 1 wherein the at least one value determined by theprocessor includes at least one of: a retrieved value corresponding toat least one of: an expected occurrence of a sunrise event at thegeolocation of the illumination system or an expected occurrence of asunset event at the geolocation of the illumination system; or acalculated value corresponding to at least one of: an expectedoccurrence of a sunrise event at the geolocation of the illuminationsystem or an expected occurrence of a sunset event at the geolocation ofthe illumination system.
 5. A controller to provide a signal output toadjust the luminous output level of at least one luminaire light sourceresponsive at least in part to at least one of: a sensor signal thatincludes information indicative of an occurrence or lack of occurrenceof a defined event, or at least one value determined by the controller,the controller comprising: at least one processor; and at least onemachine executable instruction set that when executed by the at leastone processor causes the processor to: determine whether a sensorproviding the sensor signal is in at least one of: an operational modeor a failure mode; wherein responsive to a determination that the sensoris in the failure mode, the processor provides the signal output basedat least in part on at least one value determined by the processor untila subsequent determination by the processor that the sensor is in theoperational mode; and wherein responsive to a determination that thesensor is in the operational mode, the processor provides the signaloutput based at least in part on the information included in the signalprovided by the at least one sensor until a subsequent determination bythe processor that the sensor is in the failure mode.
 6. The controllerof claim 5 wherein the controller further comprises the sensor.
 7. Thecontroller of claim 5 wherein the sensor includes at least aphotosensitive transducer, the information included in the signalprovided by the sensor includes information indicative of an occurrenceof a change in an ambient atmospheric light level corresponding to atleast one of: a sunrise event or a sunset event, and the at least onevalue determined by the processor includes data indicative of at leastone expected astronomical event.
 8. The controller of claim 7 whereinthe at least one astronomical event comprises at least one of a sunriseevent, or a sunset event.
 9. The controller of claim 5 wherein the atleast one value determined by the processor includes at least one of: aretrieved value corresponding to at least one of: an expected occurrenceof a sunrise event at the geolocation of the illumination system or anexpected occurrence of a sunset event at the geolocation of thecontroller; or a calculated value corresponding to at least one of: anexpected occurrence of a sunrise event at the geolocation of theillumination system or an expected occurrence of a sunset event at thegeolocation of the controller.